Two goals at the start of the second half condemned City to a 2-1 defeat against Barnsley, despite the Grecians taking an early lead.
The Grecians dominated much of the first half and went ahead through Josh Magennis' free-kick, before creating several opportunities to extend their advantage. However, they were punished after the break as Barnsley turned the game around with goals from Callum Styles and Davis Keillor-Dunn securing the points for the visitors.
Gary Caldwell made one change to his starting XI following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Stockport County, with Josh Magennis returning in place of Vincent Harper. The adjustment brought a tactical reshuffle, as Ilmari Niskanen shifted to right wing-back, while Jack McMillan slotted in on the left. Sonny Cox and Kamari Doyle missed out on the squad, with Jake Richards and Jay Bird taking spots on the bench.
First half
The kick-off graphic was still showing on SJP’s big screen when Jack Aitchison gave the Tykes’ keeper an early scare. Straight from the whistle, the ball was worked out to Ilmari Niskanen, who beat his marker before cutting it back centrally to the number 10. Aitchison took a touch past a defender and fired low from the edge of the box, but his shot drifted narrowly wide.
City continued to press and earned an opportunity to put the ball into the box in the 10th minute. Caleb Watts was pulled back as he surged down the right, winning a free-kick in a dangerous position. Ed Francis delivered the set piece into the area, and though it was deflected high into the air, it dropped kindly for Watts. However, his effort lacked power and was comfortably dealt with.
Barnsley attempted to counter, but City remained on the front foot. Aitchison found Watts on the edge of the area, and the midfielder was tripped in a central position, earning another free-kick.
Three City players stood over the ball, but it was Josh Magennis who stepped up. The striker drilled a low shot through the wall, and a deflection wrong-footed the keeper, nestling the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
City continued to exploit space in behind Barnsley’s backline, with Ilmari Niskanen and Millenic Alli both finding success down their respective flanks. Josh Magennis capitalised on a loose ball, lofting it over the top for Alli, who cut inside and unleashed a shot that tested the Tykes’ keeper. Although he spilled it initially, he managed to gather it at the second attempt.
Barnsley remained dangerous on the counter, and Joe Whitworth had to deliver a moment of brilliance to deny them an equaliser. Jonathan Russell played Davis Kellior-Dunn through one-on-one, but the Palace loanee spread himself Schmeichel-style, saving with his feet to preserve City’s lead.
Despite the scare, the Grecians continued pressing for a second goal and should have doubled their advantage five minutes before the break. Jack Aitchison found space behind the visitors’ defense and beat their offside trap to latch onto a pass from Ed Francis. Squaring the ball to Caleb Watts, City’s number 17 had time and space but fired well over the bar.
Second half
Barnsley came out from the interval a renewed side, and within five minutes had an equaliser.
With the ball bouncing around the edge of the box, City couldn't clear their lines, and from 30 yards Kelechi Nwakali struck the ball hard and low into the bottom corner, drawing the Tykes level.
That goal injected confidence into the visitors, and they quickly sought to capitalise on their momentum. Donovan Pines connected with Connell’s corner, but his header lacked power, allowing Pierce Sweeney to clear decisively.
City should have taken that as a warning, but in the 57th minute, Barnsley turned the game on its head. Stephen Humphreys dashed down the right and delivered a fizzing cross into the box, which Davis Keillor-Dunn expertly converted into the roof of the net to give the Tykes the lead.
The visitors continued to create chances, forcing Gary Caldwell into a quadruple substitution to shift the tide. The changes brought some renewed energy to City, and Vincent Harper went close to equalising, his shot into the side netting raising hopes among the home supporters.
Despite City’s efforts to push forward, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between. Controversy struck with seven minutes to go when Ilmari Niskanen appeared to be pushed over in the box, but the referee waved away penalty appeals, much to the frustration of the Big Bank.
As time ran out, City adopted a more direct approach and nearly found an equaliser three minutes from time. Niskanen whipped in a fantastic, pinpoint cross from the right, finding Harper in stride. However, the substitute’s header went agonisingly wide.
Deep into added time City went even closer. Francis headed down Sweeney's cross into the path of Jay Bird and he stabbed the ball first time towards the goal, however it was straight at the Tykes keeper and held.
Barnsley played out the rest of added time, as they returned to South Yorkshire with all three points. Another defeat for the Grecians in disappointing fashion.
City's first team are next back at SJP on Boxing Day in a Westcountry derby against Bristol Rovers. Very limited tickets remain, so get yours now.
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Sweeney (C), Crama, Francis, Niskanen, Woods (J. Richards, 65'), Watts (Cole, 46'), Aitchison (Mitchell, 65'), Alli (Harper, 65'), Magennis (Bird, 65').
Substitutes not used: MacDonald (GK), Fitzwater.
Goal: Magennis 13'
Yellow card: Gary Caldwell 70'
Barnsley: Killip, Russell (Watters, 79'), Pines, Gevigney, O'Keefe, Gent, McCarthy, Keillor-Dunn (Yoganathan, 90+1'), Humphreys (Lofthouse, 79'), Connell (C), Nwakali.
Substitutes not used: Smith (GK), Cotter, Cosgrove, Craig.
Goal: Nwakali 50', Keillor-Dunn 57'
Yellow card: McCarthy 10', Lofthouse 90-+3'
Attendance: 5669 (349 away)