Exeter City were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their final midweek fixture of the season at home to Wigan Athletic.
A first home goal against Wigan since 1995 marked Reece Cole’s first start since August as he thumped in to level up after Dale Taylor’s penalty kick midway through the second half.
Gary Caldwell made five changes from the side that were defeated by Stockport County on Saturday afternoon, with Jack Fitzwater the notable return from an injury sustained in January. Cole, Ryan Woods, Joel Colwill and Sonny Cox also came into the starting line up, with Ben Purrington, Ed Francis, Caleb Watts, Tony Yogane and the injured Ed Turns all stepping aside.
Former Grecian Will Aimson returned to Devon with the visitors while James Carragher, son of Liverpool legend Jamie, also lining up for the Latics.
First Half
After an quiet opening ten minutes that saw little action in front of goal, the Grecians drew the first corner of the game as Ilmari Niskanen’s cross from Josh Magennis’ header was diverted for a corner. City came close from the set piece, as a neat one-two between Cole and Woods saw Magennis lay Cole’s delivery into the path of Colwill, who fired over.
Cole then saw his effort fly into St James Road from the next attack as he drove forward from Colwill’s smart and quick free-kick.
Maleace Asamoah then tested Joe Whitworth twice from a tight angle on the left hand side, with the shot-stopper holding both efforts within minutes of each other.
Fitzwater flicked on a header into the hands of Wigan stopper Sam Tickle from an Alex Hartridge long throw, but there were hearts in mouths as Tickle distributed quickly and set Asamoah on his way. Whitworth raced out of his box, with Niskanen covering, and neatly got to the ball ahead of the Latics man to send the ball back up-field.
Jensen Weir was booked for the visitors as he hauled down Colwill 30 yards out, and it was an opportunity for Cole to send a set-piece goal bound. Magennis looked to pounce on the ball as it was sent into the six-yard box on the stretch but it just evaded him, before the offside flag was raised.
City came close to taking the lead on the stroke of half time as Cole then saw his shot deflected before Tickle saved, following a neatly taken free-kick from Woods. From the corner, it was Cole again who had the effort as he fired over.
Second Half
The second half had started well for the Grecians, but disaster struck in the 50th minute when Angus MacDonald was penalised for a foul on the lively Asamaoh and the referee pointed to the spot. Dale Taylor stepped up and sent Whitworth the wrong way to put the visitors ahead.
Whitworth was then called into action as he pulled off a superb point blank reaction save from a Wigan corner as the balled was fired at him from close range through a crowd of bodies.
As City battled for a leveller, a Cole corner caused chaos in the six yard box with the ball sticking for neither team, but it wouldn’t be long before a leveller came.
As the Grecians peppered the Latics area with set pieces, it would be another that City on the way to finding the back of the net. Reece Cole was the man to level the scores as he thumped a half volley into the ground and into the top of the net after Hartridge delivered one of his trademark long throws. It was the first home goal against the Latics since 1995.
Woods fired over from Magennis’ flick on, before a corner from City’s no.6 then caused issues in the six box as it was palmed onto the bar by Tickle.
Caldwell then introduced Andrew Oluwabori for his Exeter City home debut, as he joined Vincent Harper on the field as the pair replaced Cox and Fitzwater, before Watts later replaced the goalscorer Cole.
Harper and Magennis found some nice interplay to find Colwill on the edge of the box who drew a corner, which again hinted at a chance on goal. Oluwabori then wriggled into the area and flashed the ball across goal, which again was punted behind.
The Grecians were well on top in the closing stages of the game and finished the stronger of the two sides, but could not find that crucial winner as the Wigan defence stood firm to withstand the attacks.
The Grecians are next in action on Saturday as we head up the M5 for a trip to Bristol Rovers.
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Hartridge, Fitzwater (Harper), Woods, Cole (Watts), Niskanen, Cox (Oluwabori), Colwill (Francis), A.MacDonald, Magennis (C)
Substitutes not used: Purrington, McDonald, Yogane.
Goal: Cole 69'
Yellow card: Fitzwater
Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Aimson, Weir, Dale (J.Smith), Kerr (C), Robinson (Mellis), S.Smith (Adeeko), Carragher, McHugh (Sibbick), Taylor, Asamoah.
Substitues not used: Watson (GK), McManaman, Hungbo
Goal: Taylor 50’
Yellow cards: Weir, Smith, Adeeko
Attendance: 5,382 (186 away)