Despite a resilient defensive performance, City fell to a 1-0 defeat at league leaders Birmingham City, in a match overshadowed by Vincent Harper's late injury.
The Blues scored the only goal of the game through Ethan Laird in the dying moments of the first half, in a match where City had good spells of possession but couldn't record any major chances of note on the home side's goal.
With five minutes to go, Vincent Harper went down injured in the box and, after lengthy treatment, had to be stretchered off with a neck brace on. Everyone at St Andrews' thoughts were with the Grecians' number 18.
That made for a subdued lengthy period of added time, which was broken up by a late second yellow card for Jack McMillan, who was sent off for the first time in his career.
For City's second away match of 2025, a touchline-banned Gary Caldwell made three changes to the team that beat Oxford 3-1 in the FA Cup. Following the recall of Tristan Crama and injury to Johnly Yefko, Kevin McDonald started in the centre of defence. Millenic Alli also started for the first time since December 29th, while new signing Joel Colwill and the recently recalled Chieck Diabate were both named on the bench.
First half
Both sides wrestled for control in the early exchanges at a lively St Andrew’s Stadium, though neither managed to create a clear chance on goal. Birmingham looked intent on dominating possession, but the Grecians countered effectively with a high press that denied the Blues space and stifled their rhythm.
Frustration began to creep in for the home side as the opening 20 minutes passed without a breakthrough. Manager Chris Davies used an injury stoppage for goalkeeper Ryan Allsop to deliver a detailed tactical briefing, aiming to inspire a shift in momentum.
Just five minutes later, the Grecians faced a similar pause when Jack Fitzwater cleared a corner, only for Joe Whitworth to go down injured. While City took the chance for a shorter tactical regroup, the game resumed in stop-start fashion, with a fragmented first half heading into its final 15 minutes.
The game remained a measured contest, playing into Exeter's hands as they stifled Birmingham’s attempts to find a breakthrough. Each time the home side ventured into the box, a red and white shirt was there to intercept, leaving Joe Whitworth with little to do thanks to his well-organized defence.
Despite their solid display for most of the first half, the Grecians were undone in added time. Whitworth reacted sharply to parry a shot from inside the area, but the ball fell wide to Alfie May. The forward deftly chipped it back into the danger zone, where Ethan Laird was on hand to slot into the bottom corner.
The goal handed Birmingham a half-time lead, one that felt harsh on City after their disciplined performance.
Second half
After a quiet first half for the City academy graduate, Jay Stansfield showed his quality eight minutes into the second 45, when he cut inside with intent and curled a shot narrowly over the crossbar.
While the match remained scrappy and disjointed, Birmingham continued to dominate possession, forcing the Grecians to sit deep and absorb pressure.
Seeking to inject energy into his side, Gary Caldwell turned to his bench, introducing Josh Magennis and debutant Joel Colwill. The change had an immediate effect, with Magennis using his strength to win an attacking throw-in, helping to relieve the pressure and push City further up the pitch.
Fresh substitutions helped Exeter retain more possession, but Birmingham’s relentless press kept the Grecians at bay, preventing any meaningful attempts on goal. The Blues, meanwhile, shifted their focus to counterattacking with pace, and Joe Whitworth was called into action to gather a curling effort from Yokoyama struck from 20 yards.
The match ground to a halt shortly afterward due to a concerning injury to Vincent Harper. The City defender fell awkwardly and required medical attention from both sets of staff. Play was suspended for over 10 minutes before Harper was stretchered off in a neck brace, leaving St Andrew’s to applause from all sides of the ground.
We're all with you Vinnie.
That led to a subdued period of added time, where neither side looked like creating too much. However, midway through Jack McMillan earned the first red card of his career, as he was penalised for a trip.
Not to be for the Grecians in the West Midlands, but a resilient performance provided Gary Caldwell and his staff with food for thought.
Birmingham City: Allsop, Laird, Klarer (C), May (Bielik, 85'), Wright (Dykes, 61'), Leonard, Gardener-Hickman, Cochrane, Davies, Harri, Stansfield (Yokoyama, 61').
Substitutes not used: Peacock-Farrell (GK), Jutkiewicz, Samspted, Hanley.
Goal: Laird 45+2'
Yellow card: Leonard 36', Klarer 45+1'
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Fitzwater, McDonald (Colwill, 60'), Francis, Harper (Niskanen, 90+5'), Woods, Richards (Magennis, 60'), Watts, Mitchell (Jones, 74'), Alli (Aitchison, 74').
Substitutes not used: MacDonald (GK), Niskanen, Diabate.
Yellow card: Woods 12', McMillan 34', Watts 52', Harper 70'
Red card: McMillan 90+12'
Attendance: 25930 (away 1846)