Exeter City extended their unbeaten run to three match with a well deserved point on the road against Huddersfield Town.
City came from behind twice to take a point and make it four from two in 2026. Marcus Harness opening the scoring for the hosts before a Reece Cole stunner levelled instantly. Huddersfield went in to the break ahead after Radulovic scored from close range, but Jayden Wareham's late stunning finish meant City returned to Devon with a point.
Both sides went into this rare Sunday afternoon game in fine form over the festive period. Gary Caldwell shuffled his starting line up with Captain Pierce Sweeney and Jake Doyle-Hayes dropping to the bench with Ed Turns returning after recovering from injury and captaining the side.
First Half
The early stages of the game were end-to-end, with the highflying Yorkshire club looking to impose themselves. City defended well and looked to hit the hosts on the counter.
The first chance of the match fell to Marcus Harnes. His powerful shot in the eighth minute was parried away to safety by Joe Whitworth in the City goal.
City stood firm untill the 17th minute when Marcus Harness beat Joe Whitworth in the City goal. His shot arrowed into the bottom corner leaving Whitworth with no chance.
The goal sparked City into life and moments later they were level through an outrageous effort from Reece Cole. City's No.12 fired in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box as Town goalkeeper Lee Nicholls stood and watch as the ball flew past him and into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
After half hour the match sprung back into life. Huddersfield catching City on the counter attack following a cleared ball into the box. The ever dangerous Marcus Harness carried the ball into the city final third before playing a ball into the path of Radulovic, his curling effort was just inches wide of the far post.
City looked all set to head into the half-time break on level terms and would have if not for Bojan Radulovic turning the ball into the city net from close range to retake the lead.
There was still time for city to put together the move of the first half. Ilmari Niskanen was played in down the right wing by Cole. The Finn found time and space to pick out an unmarked Jayden Wareham in the box, City's top scorer fired a first time shot down low to Nicholls right in the Huddersfield goal, the home keeper threw himself at the low shot and pulled off a fantastic save to keep the Terriers ahead at the break.
Second Half
City headed out with a change as Ed Turns made way for Captain Pierce Sweeny in the City back-line. The second started far slower with the opening stages seeing neither sides create any chances of note.
A Cole deflected cross cannoned off a Huddersfield defender wrong footing Nicholls in the home goal but the ball agonisingly went over the bar. This was the spark the Reds needed as they began to dominate the play as we headed towards the hour mark.
Another long ball into the box caused the home side more problems as they again left Reece Cole unmarked at the back post and the city danger man hit a first time volley that deflected off a Town defender, but the ball loose ball wouldn’t fall to a city man and was cleared away from danger.
On the hour City make two attacking changes as Gary Caldwell looked to find a way back into the game. Akeel Higgins and Ethan Brierley made way for Carlose Mendes Gomes and Jake Doyle-Hayes. The pair having an instant impact as the reds started to pile the pressure on their hosts again.
Niskanen, as he has been all season was City's danger down the right wing. He looped a ball into the box to Mendes Gomes and the City man tried to flick the ball goal wards, but again there was a Huddersfield man on hand to deflect the ball away from danger.
As City have done time and time again this season, their endeavour and performance deserved far more than they had to show for it. Cole's curling shot on his weaker left foot in the 77th minute was the City mans last real effort on goal, making way for Sonny Cox in the 80th minute with the Reds throwing everything at there hosts.
The 83rd minute saw another golden opportunity for City to level after a defensive header wasn’t powerful enough to make it back to Nicholls and Jayden Wareham was on hand to pounce, but the City man who was under pressure from the terriers keeper had to hit the ball first time and the ball took a last second deflection and looped onto the top of the net.
The match looked to be heading for defeat until the 88th minute. Sonny Cox won the ball to the right of the Huddersfield box, his short first time pass to Niskanen gave the Finn the opportunity to fizz in a low cross and Jayden Wareham flicked the ball towards goal and into the corner of net sending the away fans wild - a superb finish for his 11th City goal of the season.
Seven minutes were added and the home side began to throw everything at City, but the Grecians held firm to earn a well deserved point and make it four from two in 2026!
Up Next
The Grecians attentions turn to the third round of the Emirates FA Cup and a trip to face Premier League giants Manchester City. Tickets are SOLD OUT for this one!
Match Details
Huddersfield Town XI: Nicholls (GK), Wallace (C), Gooch (Sorensen 74') , Harness, Balker, Kasumu, Roughan (Feeney 45'), Castledine (Wiles 60'),Radulovic (Charles 75'), May, Ashia.
Unused Subs: Goodman (GK), Ledson, Charles, Alves.
Goals: Harness 18', Radulović 43'
Yellow Cards: May 85'
Exeter City XI: Whitworth (GK), McMillan, Turns (C) (Sweeney 45'), Fitzwater, Brierley (Doyle-Hayes 60'), Wareham, Cole, Niskanen, Higgins (Mendes Gomes 60') , Woodhouse, Oakes (Aitchison 66').
Unused Subs: Bycroft (GK), Francis.
Goals: Cole 20', Wareham 89'
Yellow Cards: Wareham 90+3'
Attendance: 16,071 (211 Away)