Tristan Crama's first goal at St James Park was the vital difference between Exeter City and Charlton Athletic, as the Grecian got back to winning ways in League One.
City looked like scoring from a corner all afternoon with an abundance of the set-pieces in the first half, and they capitalised in the 59th minute when Crama rose the highest to head Ed Francis' delivery home.
The visitors went close on several occasions but City held first and kept their lead, securing all three points.
Returning to League One action after a break for the FA Cup, Gary Caldwell made one change from the team that started in last week's frantic FA Cup win against Barnet. Ed Francis returned to the starting lineup in the place of Reece Cole, who was kept out with a slight knock. Caleb Watts was also named on the bench, sat alongside last week's added time goalscorers Kamari Doyle and Jay Bird.
First half
Just four minutes in, Joe Whitworth had to be at his best to avoid conceding an early opener. Wearing the Addick’s pastel yellow kit, Terry Taylor’s cross from the right was met by the head of Matty Godden, who’s goal-bound flick was held by the Palace loanee in goal.
The Grecians responded well to Charlton’s early pressure, generating a string of corners from the right side. One of these came from a superb cross by Ilmari Niskanen, aiming to connect with his fellow international Josh Magennis in the box. Positioned deep within the six-yard area, Magennis was inches from scoring, but a crucial block from Macaulay Gillesphey denied the forward a tap-in.
Despite a series of well-placed deliveries from Pierce Sweeney and Ed Francis, City struggled to convert their set pieces into direct chances as Charlton’s defense held.
Charlton’s strategy in the opening half hour appeared to be striking City on the counter, but quick reactions on several occasions by Niskanen and Tristan Crama consistently halted any attacks, as the Grecians began to be the dominant side on the ball.
One of those passing moves through the midfield found Niskanen for the half’s closest chance. Alli won possession and passed it back to Ed Francis, who had time to send a cross-field ball to Niskanen. After taking a touch, the Finn launched a 25-yard effort that left the keeper beaten but narrowly missed the post.
Charlton soon retaliated with their own close chance. Taylor unleashed a fierce half-volley from the edge of the box that looked certain to trouble Whitworth, but Pierce Sweeney stepped in with a powerful header to deflect the shot before it could reach the net.
Calls for a penalty echoed from the home stands three minutes before the break when Magennis went down in the box. Alli chipped a cross into the area, which Niskanen headed goalward, but as Magennis tried to reach it, he was caught between the keeper and a defender, unable to make contact.
After the Charlton keeper received extended treatment, play resumed with a Ryan Woods corner that landed straight in the keeper’s path. The punch clearance lacked distance, and Jack Aitchison pounced on the loose ball, unleashing a shot bound for goal that was blocked just in time by a defender’s outstretched leg.
Second half
The Addicks began the second half with a couple of close chances that had some supporters from South London momentarily celebrating.
First, Matty Godden drove an effort into the advertising boards on the left, before Conor Coventry met a free-kick but sent his effort past Whitworth’s post.
Those near-misses seemed to spark the Grecians into action, and Niskanen nearly netted the opener with a deflected effort. With plenty of time, Woods picked out the Finn, who cut inside and unleashed a shot. Although the deflection threw the keeper off balance, it ultimately veered out for a corner.
From that set-piece, it was Crama time, as City went go one better. Francis delivered in Exeter’s 13th corner of the day, and at the front post Crama rose highest and flicked it over the keeper and into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
Both sides made multiple substitutions, but clear chances were scarce following City’s goal. Charlton substitute Thierry Small sent a shot into the side netting with Whitworth quick to close the angle, and the Addicks soon missed their best opportunity of the game.
In a moment of miscommunication, Ben Purrington’s attempted header back to Whitworth fell short and directly to Godden, leaving him one-on-one with the keeper. Fortunately for City, Godden’s shot went wide, preserving the lead.
With five minutes added on by the referee, Charlton kept attacking in the hunt for an equaliser, and won a free-kick after Niskanen dragged back an Addick man. The set-piece was headed back across City’s goal but there was Sweeney, calm as you’d like, heading the ball out of danger.
That would be the final chance of the game, as City held onto their one goal lead and secured their first win against Charlton in over 13 years!
The Grecians are back at St James Park for a third consecutive Saturday next week, hosting Lincoln at the earlier time of 12.30pm. Get your tickets here.
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Sweeney (C), Crama, Purrington, Niskanen, Woods, Francis (Fitzwater, 84'), Aitchison (Mitchell, 72'), Alli (Bird, 72'), Magennis.
Substitutes not used: MacDonald (GK), Fitzwater, Watts, Cox, Doyle.
Goals: Crama 59',
Yellow card: Woods 21', Niskanen 90+1'
Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, A. Mitchell, Coventry (Berry, 74'), Docherty (C), Leaburn, Taylor (Ahadme, 67'), Edwards, Z. Mitchell, Campbell (Small, 67').
Substitutes not used: Reid (GK), Hylton, Edun, Edmonds-Green.
Yellow card: Gillesphey 39'
Attendance: 7347 (914 away)