A pulsating contest at St James Park saw Exeter City stage a sensational comeback to earn a 4-4 draw against Crawley, capping off 2024 in dramatic fashion.
Trailing 4-1 at half-time after a torrid first half where Millenic Alli's third goal in three games was the only highlight, the Grecians roared back in the second 45.
A stunner from Vincent Harper set the tone, before Ryan Woods then bettered him and netted directly from a corner. This game only deserved top-class strikes, and three minutes into added time Demetri Mitchell produced exactly that, netting City's fourth and completing the comeback in front of the Big Bank. City’s resilience and determination ensured they ended the year with a point in an unforgettable match.
For the squad's second game in three days, Gary Caldwell made four changes from the side that turned it round late on against Bristol Rovers. Tristan Crama returned to the defence after recovering from his minor injury, while goalscorer Jake Richards was included from the start. Kamari Doyle came in for his first League One start at SJP since September, while Ryan Woods was named skipper, as Josh Magennis was named on the bench.
First half
Both sides had half chances in the opening 10 minutes, with Richards having a shot hacked away in the penalty box after a corner, before Armando Quitirna shot wide for the visitors.
That was just a warning shot though, as little less than 15 minutes into the game the Grecians found themselves behind for the third match in a row. Guinea-Bissau international Panutche Camará finished off a scrappy move from close range after City failed to clear their penalty area.
City were forced to regroup following Jay Bird’s injury, which led to a tactical reshuffle as Vince Harper replaced him, slotting in as a wing-back.
While the next 20 minutes were quiet, as the match ticked past the 35-minute mark, the game burst into life with a flurry of four goals in 10 minutes - but only one fell in City’s favor.
It began when Alli collected a pass from Harper about five yards inside Crawley’s half. The forward surged down the left wing, cutting inside and shrugging off two defenders before drilling a low shot through the legs of another and into the bottom corner, leveling the match.
City’s celebrations were cut short almost instantly. Straight from the restart, Crawley played the ball back to their defense, launching a long pass downfield. Will Swan controlled it expertly, evading Crama and rounding Whitworth. Despite the Frenchman’s desperate effort to block, the ball crept over the line to restore the visitors’ lead.
Buoyed by their advantage, Crawley continued to press and earned a corner. Although City initially cleared the danger, an uncharacteristic mistake by Whitworth left Tola Showunmi with a simple tap-in to an empty net.
As the fourth official signaled additional time, the visitors struck again. A swift counterattack ended with Quitirna finishing off a fluid move, slotting the ball into the corner and leaving City facing a daunting task in the second half.
Second half
The second half began with a triple substitution for City, as Gary Caldwell played three cards at once to try and get the Grecians back into the contest. One of those changes, Caleb Watts, was booked for an early dive, when he majority of the stadium had been convinced he should’ve won a penalty.
City knew they had to head out on the attack, and Demetri Mitchell won a free-kick when he was bundled over on the edge of the area, but Magennis’ low drive – on the second attempt after the first was blocked – went wide.
It wouldn’t take long for the Grecians to narrow the deficit, and they did so in some style as Vince Harper cuts in from the left to unleash a powerful effort into the top corner and give the a majority of the crowd inside SJP that tiny bit of hope.
Making his Grecians debut, Pat Jones wasted no time showcasing his strengths. With 15 minutes left, the Welsh winger charged down the right flank, creating a sliver of space before delivering a low cross. Alli connected, but his effort rolled agonisingly wide of the post.
Jones continued to torment the Crawley defense and sent in another teasing delivery just three minutes later. This time, Magennis tried an audacious hooked effort, but the goalkeeper reacted sharply to keep it out.
City needed a spark, and with just under 10 minutes to play, they found it. Ed Francis’ free-kick was initially headed clear, earning a corner for the Grecians.
Stepping up in front of a roaring Big Bank, Ryan Woods delivered a moment of magic. Channeling his inner Lee Holmes, he curled the corner directly into the net - a stunning effort that brought City back within a goal of contention. Two goals direct from a corner in one season for City, and game on at SJP.
As the fourth official signaled five minutes of added time, City kept the pressure on. In the third of those minutes, St James Park witnessed a moment of pure magic from Demetri Mitchell.
With Crawley’s defence backing off, the City number seven cut in from the right and curled an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner, levelling the scores at 4-4. Drama? Served best in red and white.
From 4-1 down at half-time, the Grecians fought back to claim a point in the final game of 2024. Join us back at the Park in the new year this Saturday, when Bolton Wanderers are the visitors. Get your tickets now!
Exeter City: Whitworth, Niskanen (Mitchell, 46'), Fitzwater (Magennis, 46'), Crama, Francis, McMillan, Woods (C), J. Richards (Jones, 73'), Doyle (Watts, 46'), Alli, Bird (Harper, 27').
Substitues not used: MacDonald (GK), Purrington.
Goals: Alli 35', Harper 59', Woods 82', Mitchell 90+3'
Yellow card: Bird 20', Watts 49', Alli 89'
Crawley Town: Wollacott, Conroy (C), Baker, Anderson (Roles, 84'), Swan (Hepburn-Murphy, 76'), Camara, Quitrna (Mukena, 58'), Kelly, Ibrahim, Mullarkey, Showunmi (John-Jules, 58').
Substitutes not used: Beach (GK), Holohan, Roles, Fish.
Goals: Camara 15', Swan 37', Showumni 39', Quitirna 45+1'
Yellow card: Ibrahim 65', Mullarkey 78',
Attendance: 6,805 (210 away)