Another Draw for the Grecians

Report: Burton Albion 1 Exeter City 1
Exeter City and Burton Albion shared the points with a 1-1 draw at the Pirelli Stadium, in an entertaining game on a difficult surface.

Both goals came within a three-minute period in the second half – and the opener came in familiar fashion for both teams. Burton, who had turned in two own-goals the previous weekend, did the same again as Ian Sharps put the ball into his own net after stopper Dean Lyness failed to hold a rocketed effort by John O’Flynn. It was the third time in four games that City had gone ahead courtesy of an opponent turning the ball into their own net.

The lead was cut back quickly though – Adam McGurk arrived onto a Zeli Ismail cross and swept in for the equaliser. And no better chance came for an equaliser than in stoppage time when Arron Davies had a downward header turned away by the sprawling figure of Lyness – but ultimately ended all-square.

There were two changes to the starting XI for the Grecians after the midweek draw at home against Oxford United. Matt Gill, suffering with a swollen ankle after taking a kick, was replaced by Matt Grimes and John O’Flynn started in attack with Tom Nichols on the bench.

It was a return to the Pirelli Stadium for goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, who was injured for the defeat last season, while Gary Alexander – who was a Grecian in the 1999/2000 season – was on the Brewers’ bench after signing from Crawley Town on transfer deadline day.

The Grecians started much the livelier and instantly had the Brewers’ rearguard working hard to defend their area. After Danny Butterfield had twice delivered problematic crosses in the opening minutes, it was the right-back that set off an attack with a great tackle on the flank. He linked up with Liam Sercombe to feed Grimes, who hammered just wide of the post.

Jimmy Keohane soon had a corner turned in by a City player, but the referee spotted and infringement from a City player which kept the game goalless.

The Brewers fans finally had something to get excited about when a direct ball forward was allowed to bounce to release Adam McGurk, whose drilled effort needed turning around the near post. Soon after a similar situation arose and caught Artur Krysiak in two minds, but Pat Baldwin was alert to clear a poked effort off the line.

Burton’s wingers began to threaten and the first clear-cut chance for the home side came as Jimmy Phillips hung up a ball for Matty Palmer – but the midfielder’s header was powered into the ground and bounced over the bar.

Once again the Grecians had the ball in the net, but this time it was the linesman’s flag that brought the celebrations to an early halt on the half-hour mark. Sercombe was the man to dink in a fine cross for O’Flynn and the striker nodded in, only for the goal to be chalked off.

Sercombe and O’Flynn, two of the livelier performers in the first period, set each other up for chances to open the score before the break. Sercombe flashed a shot past the near post, and O’Flynn hit the target from a tight angle with plenty of power, but Dean Lyness watched it into his arms.

And the Grecians were denied a good shout for a penalty just on the stroke of the interval as Shane Cansdell-Sherriff wrestled down O’Flynn in the area, but the appeals fell on deaf ears.

Half-time: Burton Albion 0 Exeter City 0