Exeter City succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home to Carlisle United on the final day of the League Two season, with the result setting up a rematch between the two sides in the play-offs in an evening of drama at St James Park.
Exeter’s Reuben Reid opened the scoring in the 9th minute for his 13th goal of the season, before a controversial penalty awarded to Carlisle for an apparent handball gave them a route back into the game, with captain Danny Grainger blasting the penalty home. Yet on the stroke of half-time, Exeter skipper Jordan Moore-Taylor nodded the ball home from a corner, to give Exeter a 2-1 lead at the break.
In the second half, Carlisle upped the ante, with a sustained period of pressure from long throws and set-pieces forcing Exeter keeper Christy Pym into a string of good stops. Eventually though, Carlisle got their equaliser, through another penalty after Exeter right-back pierce Sweeney was adjudged to have tripped Jamie Proctor in the box. Grainger’s penalty was convincing once more, and Carlisle were once again one goal away from the play-offs. They got their goal with 15 minutes to go, with Exeter this time unable to deal with Tom Miller’s long throw, as an unmarked Proctor was there to head home from close range.
“Carlisle saw out the rest of the game relatively comfortably, sparking jubilant scenes at the end of the game from over 700 travelling Carlisle fans.”
Carlisle saw out the rest of the game relatively comfortably, sparking jubilant scenes at the end of the game from over 700 travelling Carlisle fans. Exeter’s fans invaded the pitch to celebrate the team reaching the play-offs, and news quickly circulated that Exeter and Carlisle would face each other for a place in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.
The first leg will be played in Carlisle at Brunton Park on Sunday 14th May (18:30 KO), with the return fixture at St James on Thursday 18th May (19:45 KO).
