The Grecians left it late to nab a point against Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium in EFL Sky Bet League One.
Peterborough skipper Hector Kyprianou gave the Posh the lead with a well-worked goal before Millenic Alli struck late, converting his penalty that was saved at the second effort to ensure City headed back to Devon with a point.
Off the back of Saturday’s narrow defeat to league leaders Birmingham City, manager Gary Caldwell made six changes to the starting XI. A squad that had already been rocked by injury was dealt another blow as Jake Richards missed out through illness and Caleb Watts through injury.
January loan signing Joel Colwill made his first start since joining from Cardiff City, and Ben Purrington, Kamari Doyle, Jack Aitchison, Josh Magennis, and Ilmari Niskanen returned to the line-up.
First Half
The hosts were quick out of the traps, forcing City onto the back foot in the first couple of minutes as Cian Hayes went on a mazy run into the box. Thankfully, Ben Purrington was on hand to stop the danger.
Moments later, Posh almost went ahead. Ricky-Jade Jones was played in down the left channel, he cut inside and crossed dangerously along the penalty area for Ryan De Havilland to fire just wide of the City goal.
After a period where both teams cancelled each other out, a quick Peterborough counter saw the ball played into Jones. He took the ball past Whitworth, but the angle was too tight, and his low strike went wide.
City created their first true effort on goal after 20 minutes. A loose ball from the back was picked up by Kamari Doyle 30 yards out. He cut inside and sent a fierce shot towards goal, which went into the side netting. It was that close that the Grecian fans were sure it had gone in.
This effort sparked City into life, with a long-range effort spilled by Bilokapic. Josh Magennis was quickest to react, but the Posh keeper was able to smother it out for a corner. Ryan Woods swung in a teasing corner which fell to Ed Francis, but he was only able to hook the ball over the bar.
On the half-hour mark, Doyle picked up the ball inside the centre circle and jinked forward before curling a ball out to Alli on the wing. He cut inside and fired a low shot towards goal, but it was easy for the Posh keeper.
Straight away, down the other end, another dangerous attack saw the hosts almost squeeze in front. The ball was squared to De Havilland just inside the box, and his low shot beat Whitworth but came back off the post. City were able to clear the danger and breathe a sigh of relief!
The hosts broke the deadlock after 33 minutes with a very well-worked goal. The ball was sent into the City area, and a neat one-two ended with a stylish effort by skipper Hector Kyprianou to make it 1-0.
Peterborough had a golden chance to make it two, five minutes later. A deep cross from Mothersille evaded the Grecian defence, and Haynes fired over from 2 yards with the goal at his mercy. A let-off for City, and the teams went in for the half-time break with Posh a goal to the good.
Second Half
Peterborough started the second half brightly, taking the game to City and almost forcing an early chance as a cross from Hayes was headed wide by Mothersille from the penalty spot. Five minutes later, Fernandez found himself with a free header from a corner, but his effort sailed wide of Joe Whitworth’s goal.
At this point, City were well under pressure, and a mix-up saw the ball fall to Mothersille, running through on goal. However, a combination of Purrington and Niskanen were able to time their challenges perfectly to stop the danger.
City created an opening in the 53rd minute as the lively Kamari Doyle found Niskanen out wide. He quickly poked the ball to Aitchison on the edge of the box, but his quickfire shot was easy for the keeper.
The Grecians made their first change after 64 minutes as Demetri Mitchell replaced Kamari Doyle in an attacking switch.
City’s biggest threat in the second half came down the right channel. Jack Aitchison was played in, and his shot deflected off a Posh player before, unfortunately, going out off Jack.
City had a real let-off as the clock ticked into the 80th minute. A cross-field ball was missed by Francis on the stretch. Mothersille was first to the loose ball and played it back across goal, and Lindgren looked to have enough to bundle it over, but Fitzwater was there to hook the ball away off the line!
In the 89th minute, City gave themselves the golden chance to level the game. A ball was sent through, and Demetri Mitchell was taken down in the penalty area. The referee didn’t give it, but the linesman flagged, and City had a spot-kick.
Millenic Alli stepped up, and his penalty was well saved by Bilokapic in the Posh goal, but he was quick to pounce and slotted home the rebound to raise the roof in the away end!
Seven minutes were added, but neither side could force another opening, and City headed back to Devon with a point for their efforts.
City are next in action at SJP on Saturday as they host Blackpool in a 3pm kick-off. [Click here for tickets.]
Peterborough United: Bilokapic, Johnston, Collins, Mothersille, De Havilland (O’Brien-Brady ’87), Edun, Jones, Hayes (Lingren ‘62), Kyprianou © Hughes, Fernandez.
Substitutes not used: Blackmore, Conn-Clarke, Odoh, Katongo, Ihionvien.
Goal: Kyprianou ‘33
Yellow card: Kyprianou
Exeter City: Whitworth, Niskanen (Jones ’73), Fitzwater, Purrington (Diabate ’84), Francis, Woods (McDonald ’73), Doyle (Mitchell ’64), Colwill, Aitchison, Alli, Magennis (c) (Bird ’84)
Substitutes not used: MacDonald (GK), James.
Yellow card:
Attendance: 5,913 (Away TBC)