Match report: Cambridge United 1 City 1

A last-minute goal from Sam Smith denied Exeter a victory at The Abbey in the first round of the FA Cup away at Cambridge United.

The result means Exeter will play Cambridge in a replay at St James Park in order to get through to the second round.

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor made three changes to the side that fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Bradford last Saturday, as Matt Jay, Nigel Atangana and Alex Fisher replaced Lee Martin and Nicky Law, while Jake Taylor dropped out due to suspension.

It was the home side that started the brighter, with Kyle Knoyle influential in the opening 15 minutes – first winning a dangerous free-kick on the right-hand side that City did well to defend, before delivering a deep cross that- thankfully for the Grecians – evaded the Cambridge players.

City grew into the game, and Nigel Atangana released Randell Williams down the City right, and although his cross was cleared, the ball fell to Craig Woodman – the left-back’s audacious effort on the half-volley flew over.

Williams was a constant threat and his cross on the half-hour mark was nearly converted by Ryan Bowman, but for a spectacular interception that meant the home side conceded a corner, and not a goal. But City’s pressure would soon pay dividends – Matt Jay drove down the left wing, and though his initial cross was cut out, Cambridge couldn’t clear and Alex Fisher profited, picking the ball up and firing into the left-hand corner for his first City goal.

Fisher’s goal would prove to be the only real chance of note in a first-half defined largely by defensive strength; both sides were quick to recover possession and the City back five of Woodman, Parkes, Martin, Sweeney and Williams proved impenetrable in the opening 45.

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