Extraordinary finish wrecks City fightback

A 99th-minute winner for visiting Luton spoilt a spirited Exeter fightback.

City made two changes from the side that beat Port Vale in the FA Cup, with Matt Oakley making his first start since the draw with Stevenage back in October. Tom Nichols was also recalled, with Troy Brown and David Wheeler both absent with injury.

Craig Woodman was involved in City’s first significant venture forward as he delivered a lovely cross which Alex Nicholls did well to control and poke towards Jamie Reid, who dummied and allowed Joel Grant to have a shot. City’s striker couldn’t find a way past a combination of Scott Cuthbert and Magnus Okuonghae.

Just like Luton’s first real opportunity, City’s came about as a result of a mistake. Some mistakes in the Luton backline allowed a waiting Alex Nicholls to seize on the loose ball. A clever one-two with Joel Grant opened up some shooting space for Nicholls, but his shot was fantastically saved by a flying Mark Tyler.

A spell of sustained pressure from City then followed, with Joel Grant’s scuffed shot turned round the post by the Luton defence and a drive from Jamie Reid blocked by Alex Lawless for a corner. City were unable to make anything from either corner though as Luton continued to defend impressively.

It was Luton though that broke the deadlock. Sean Long got forward from full-back and linked well with Craig Mackail-Smith before the breaking into the box and eventually being fouled by Craig Woodman. Cameron McGeehan stepped up to take the spot-kick and put it low into the bottom-left corner of the goal.

City barely had time to settle back into the game before Luton had themselves a second. Sean Long was again involved this time, delivering a delightful ball which evaded everyone apart from Danny Green, who calmly tucked the ball away to put the visitors 2-0 up.

Half time: Exeter City 0 Luton Town 2