City halted league leaders Wycombe's 11 match winning run with an entertaining 2-2 draw at St James Park.
The Grecians stormed into a two goal lead in the first 20 minutes, with Millenic Alli poking a finish home inside the box inside the first 90 seconds, before Jack McMillan poked home a goal from mere inches out after Crama's header from a corner rebounded off the post to him.
However, Wycombe showed their confidence as the match progressed, and pulled one back four minutes later with a close range header from a corner. Five minutes after half-time the Chairboys had an equaliser as Cam Humphreys curled a delightful shot past Whitworth, but despite both sides landing blows at each other, the score remained two apiece.
The headline team news came in the form of Kevin McDonald starting his first City game since April 10th 2023, following his return to Devon last month. The Scotsman came into the centre of midfield for Ryan Woods, who was suspended following an accumulation of yellow cards. Jack Fitzwater also started his second league game of the season after Pierce Sweeney failed a late fitness test. Because of that Josh Magennis took on captaincy duties, while Jake Richards retained his spot in the lineup after an impressive showing against Chesterfield.
First half
Wycombe may have won their last 11 goals in a row, but after just 70 seconds the Grecians took the lead.
Advancing from his position on the right of a back three, Fitzwater crossed the ball into the box. Magennis got a knick on the ball as it fell into the path of Millenic Alli. Deep inside the box, the forward knocked it past a defender before stabbing the ball in to put City one up.
City kept the attacks up after the goal, and quickly won a series of inconsequential corners in front of the Big Bank.
While many teams would be shellshocked from City's fast start, the visitors were top of the league for a reason, and remained composed as they formulated their first attack. Joe Low sent in a low drilled cross through the penalty area, that just evaded Caleb Taylor who was an inch away from poking the ball home.
City continued to attack with confidence, earning several corners, and their persistence paid off in the 22nd minute with a second goal.
McDonald delivered an inswinging cross from the left, and Tristan Crama rose highest to meet it. The Frenchman’s header struck the post and fell perfectly for Jack McMillan, who bundled the ball over the line from close range to claim his maiden Grecian goal.
Wycombe remained a threat, though, and pulled one back just four minutes later. From an inswinging corner on their left, Joe Low climbed highest in the penalty area to nod past Joe Whitworth. Game on.
In the 34th minute, Wycombe should’ve had an equaliser. Captain Luke Leahy picked out Fred Onyedinma, who stumbled as he advanced into the Grecians’ penalty area but invertedly knocked the ball to Richard Kone. With only Joe Whitworth to beat, Kone scuffed his shot, allowing the Palace loanee to make a comfortable save.
Moments later, Jack Fitzwater had to execute a perfectly timed slide tackle to dispossess Kone again inside the box. Whitworth remained busy, diving sharply to his left to keep out Aaron Morley’s well-struck 30-yard free-kick.
This busy game calmed down in the final throws of the half, as the referee brought a highly entertaining first 45 to a close.
Second half
Wycombe began the second half on the front foot, delivering a series of threatening crosses into the box, but the Grecians’ defence, led by Tristan Crama, dealt with the danger effectively.
Unable to find success on the flanks, the visitors shifted their focus centrally and found an equaliser 10 minutes after the restart. Aaron Morley sprayed a pinpoint pass out wide to Joe Jacobson, whose cross found Jack Humphreys unmarked at the edge of the D. The forward swept a composed finish past Joe Whitworth to level the score.
City struggled to regain control of the game, with Wycombe’s high press disrupting their rhythm. Recognising the need for a shift, Gary Caldwell brought Ed Francis into central midfield, swapping Kevin McDonald for Ben Purrington. The change added some composure to the Grecians’ play, though the visitors’ pressing continued to test the backline.
With Josh Magennis subbed off, Ilmari Niskanen took the captain’s armband and helped drive City forward. In the 78th minute, the Fin’s cutback cross earned City some much-needed territory. Jack Aitchison played him into space on the wing, and Niskanen’s ball found McMillan, whose delivery into the box was cleared before reaching substitute Caleb Watts.
That pressure was sustained and City won a free kick 25 yards out. Francis stepped up, curling a promising effort that skimmed the crossbar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Whitworth had to be at his very best to keep the score level two minutes before full-time. A long throw was launched into the box and Udoh turned and shot at close range, but there was Whitworth reacting in seconds to keep it at 2-2.
That was how the game finished, ultimately a point for both sides with plenty to ponder for Gary Caldwell as the Grecians head to Stockport on Saturday.
City are back at SJP next Tuesday and will be looking for revenge against Birmingham in the Vertu Trophy, get your tickets now!
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Fitzwater, Crama, Francis, Niskanen, McDonald (Purrington, 63'), J. Richards (Watts, 72'), Aitchison (Cox, 90'), Alli, Magennis (C) (Bird, 72').
Substitutes not used: MacDonald (GK), Harper, Doyle.
Goals: Alli 2', McMillan 22'
Wycombe Wanderers: Ravizzoli, Harvie, Leahy (C) (Bakinson, 85'), McCleary (Udoh, 69'), Low, Humphreys, Kone (Hanlan, 77'), Morley, Pattenden, Taylor, Onyedinma (Lubala, 85').
Substitutes not used: George (GK), Grimmer, Butcher.
Goal: Low 27', Humphreys 54'
Yellow card: Low 83'
Attendance: 5074 (335 away)