Exeter City’s battle to avoid the drop from League One was dealt a huge blow with a 1-0 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
Tom Bloxham netted the only goal of the game in cool fashion as defeat saw City fall three points away from safety with just five matches of the season remaining.
Interim manager Matt Taylor made two changes to the side held to a goalless draw by Leyton Orient last time out. Johnly Yfeko and Jack Aitchison returned to the starting XI, with Danny Andrew and Reece Cole dropping to the bench. Joe Whitworth, Ethan Brierley and Sonny Cox were all unavailable due to injury.
Former Grecian Joel Randall was named in the Blackpool starting line-up, as the Seasiders came into the match in strong form, having won three of their previous four games at Bloomfield Road.
First Half
Exeter City kicked off on a chilly afternoon in Blackpool and immediately looked to assert themselves. Charlie Cummins combined neatly with Carlos Mendes Gomes, who attempted to lift a pass over the defence for Jayden Wareham, but the ball carried too much weight.
Blackpool’s first attack resulted in the game’s opening corner. CJ Hamilton looked to get the better of Jack McMillan, but the Scotsman defended well. However, the quickly taken corner found Joel Randall in space inside the box, and City were forced to scramble the danger clear.
City were fortunate to remain level after just five minutes, thanks to a crucial intervention from Jack Bycroft. Hamilton was played through on goal and burst into the penalty area, but Bycroft reacted sharply to smother the chance.
Moments later, the hosts squandered another golden opportunity. Hamilton’s cross was blocked by Pierce Sweeney and fell kindly to Randall, who, with the goal at his mercy, fired wide from just four yards out - a significant let-off for the Grecians.
The pressure continued to build as Blackpool created further chances. A free kick into the box was kept alive by Horsfall before Husband poked an effort over the bar from close range.
After a frenetic opening, City began to settle. In the 22nd minute, Horsfall controlled a corner inside the penalty area but could only blaze his effort high over the crossbar.
The breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark, and it was no more than Blackpool deserved. A floated pass over the top found Bloxham, who calmly lifted the ball over Bycroft from just inside the area.
City responded with a well-worked set-piece routine. Kevin McDonald found Jack Aitchison 25 yards from goal, and after taking a touch, Aitchison fired narrowly wide of Peacock-Farrell’s post.
With five minutes remaining before the break, Blackpool continued to threaten. A long ball was nodded on into Hamilton’s path, but his first-time effort sailed over the bar.
Exeter’s best chance of the half came just before the interval. Ilmari Niskanen delivered a cross from out wide, which was met first time by Wareham, but Peacock-Farrell produced an excellent save to tip the effort over the bar.
Second Half
Matt Taylor made a change at the break, introducing Danny Andrew in place of Johnly Yfeko in defence.
Blackpool started the second half on the front foot and nearly doubled their lead inside the opening minute. Ashley Fletcher flicked a cross into the box, but his header drifted over the City crossbar.
City looked to respond on the counter-attack, with Mendes Gomes picking out Niskanen out wide. His dangerous delivery into the area earned City a corner. The resulting set-piece was met by Woodhouse, whose header took a slight deflection and went wide.
The Grecians appeared to grow in confidence from that opportunity. Andrew’s low ball into the six-yard box was flicked goalwards by Aitchison, and although Peacock-Farrell seemed to spill the save, Wareham was penalised for a foul as he attempted to capitalise.
On the hour mark, Blackpool threatened again through the lively CJ Hamilton, whose shot was saved by Bycroft, triggering a frantic scramble in the City box. The ball eventually fell to Coulson, but his powerful effort sailed over the bar. City responded with a double substitution, introducing Timur Tutierov and Reece Cole in place of McDonald and Mendes Gomes.
Chances remained limited for City as Blackpool defended resolutely. However, Tutierov’s introduction added pace to the attack, and he won a corner in the 78th minute, though the delivery was overhit and cleared.
Blackpool nearly sealed the victory five minutes from time following a swift counter-attack. Anderson’s driving run set Hamilton through on goal, but under pressure from Woodhouse, his effort found only the side netting.
City carved out a late opportunity moments later. Good interplay between Cole and Niskanen allowed Cole to deliver a dangerous cross, which Wareham met with a header that flashed narrowly over the bar.
With six minutes of added time signalled, City pushed for an equaliser. Cole’s cross forced a corner, and goalkeeper Jack Bycroft came forward to join the attack. However, as the ball was delivered into the box, the referee awarded a foul against City, much to their frustration.
Two minutes later, Niskanen won another corner, and the loose ball fell to Higgins, whose low effort was scuffed wide of the target.
That proved to be City’s final chance, as the Grecians fell to a 1–0 defeat which leaves them further adrift of safety with time running out in the 2025/26 season.
Up Next
The Grecians host Doncaster Rovers on Bank Holiday Monday in a 3pm kick-off. Tickets can be purchased here.
Match Details
Blackpool XI
Peacock-Farrell (GK), Husband, Horsfall, Brown, Honeyman (Anderson 74’), Fletcher, (Taylor 74’) Bloxam (Ennis 61’), Coulson, Randall (Clarkson 61’), Hamilton (Casey 89’), Walters.
Subs not used
Ravizzoli, Ashworth.
Yellow Cards
Honeyman 71’
Goal
Bloxham 29’
Exeter City XI
Bycroft (GK), Niskanen, Sweeney, Woodhouse, Yfeko (Andrew 45’), McMillan, McDonald (Cole 60’), Cummins (Magennis 72’), Aitchison (Higgins 87’), Mendes Gomes (Tutierov 60’), Wareham.
Subs not used
Phillips (GK), Rydel.
Yellow Cards
Niskanen 79’
Attendance
TBC