Exeter City continued their strong form on the road, picking up a point at the One Call Stadium against Mansfield Town.
Neither side was able to break the deadlock in a match of limited chances as the Grecians made it five unbeaten on their travels.
Manager Gary Caldwell made three changes from the side that suffered a heavy defeat to Rotherham United last time out as Timur Tutierov made his first start for the Grecians since joining in the January transfer window. Johnly Yfeko returned to defence and Jack Aitchison came into the side in an attacking midfield role, whilst versatile defender Luca Woodhouse shifted into midfield.
The Grecians headed to Mansfield on the back of four strong results on the road, but were looking for a response from Saturday’s defeat, and to make amends from the late 2-1 defeat to the Stags at SJP earlier in the season.
First Half
The Stags got the ball rolling on a very wet afternoon in Mansfield. City quickly settled into the groove of the match as they patiently attacked the Stags defence without making and chances in the opening exchanges.
A beautiful piece of skill from Wareham on half-way saw him pluck the ball from the sky before jinking past his defender and finding Tutierov who ran at his marker, but strong defending saw him stopped in his tracks.
The first chance for the hosts came after ten minutes as Irow hit a low half-volley from a corner, but it was easily claimed by Whitworth in the City goal. Minutes later Lewis saved the day for the Stags as deflected shot headed towards goal, but the Stags stopper did well to push it away to safety.
A quick break after 17 minutes saw Niskanen pick up the ball just inside the Stags half before driving forward and finding the dangerous Tutierov who shot at goal from just outside the box but could only find the side netting.
Tutierov looked the Grecians biggest threat and was linking up well with Wareham. This time City’s No.9 held the ball up and found him out wide, the Ukrainian cut inside and flashed a low drive agonisingly just past the Stags goal.
The hosts should have been ahead after 27 minutes. A slip from Yfeko allowed Will Evans in on goal – he took a touch and curled a shot towards the far corner but City’s No.1 read it well to push the ball around the post.
A slick Grecians move saw Doyle-Hayes chip a ball in for Wareham who showed great close control to bring the ball down and shoot towards goal, but the effort was well blocked.
Both sides had moments in the first half but there was nothing to settle the teams as they went into the break level.
Second Half
Manager Gary Caldwell was forced into a change at the break, as defender Jack Fitzwater, who had taken a blow to the head in the first half was replaced by Ed Turns.
Everything that was good about City was coming through their No.9 as again he showed great strength with his back to goal to hold up the ball before again finding Tutierov – his shot was deflected wide of goal.
Just after the hour the hosts thought they had taken the lead. A deep free kick was head towards goal by Cargill and it hit the post and it looked like substitute Adeboyjo would be poised to hook over the line, but a strong bit of keeping from Whitworth smothered the danger.
City made two attacking changes with fifteen to go as Josh Magennis and Reece Cole came on for Tutierov and Aitchison.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Mansfield sub Luke Bolton cut inside and drove at the City defence before sending a curling drive towards the corner – but it was wide of Whitworth’s post.
Down the other end a quick City move opened up the Stags defence as Magennis linked with Cox to send City’s No.19 away at goal, but his shot at goal was tame and was easy for Lewis to gather.
As the match entered six minutes of added time the Stags broke away and the dangerous Adeboyjo raced forward and sent in a dangerous delivery which could only be headed over by McLaughlin at the back post.
Neither side could force a clear cut chance and the match ended goalless with City taking a point back to Devon.
Up Next
The Grecians are next in action on Saturday, February 14, hosting Northampton Town at SJP in a 3pm kick-off. Click here for tickets and to spend Valentine’s Day with your one true love.
Match Details
Mansfield Town XI
Lewis (GK), Oshilaja, Sweeney (C) (Knoyle 46’), Cargill, Akins (Hendry 58’), Leiws, Reed, Blake-Tracey, Oates (Adeboyjo 57’), Irow (Bolton 57’), Evans (McLaughlin 82’)
Subs not used
Russell, Moriah-Welsh.
Yellows
Oshilaja 20’
Exeter City XI
Whitworth, Niskanen, Sweeney (C), Fitzwater (Turns 46’), Yfeko (Oakes 67’), Tutierov (Magennis 73’), Doyle-Hayes, Brierley, Woodhouse, Aitchison (Cole 73’), Wareham (Cox 79’)
Subs not used
Bycroft (GK), Higgins.
Yellows
Turns 61’, Sweeney 69’, Oakes 76’, Magennis 87’
Attendance: 7579 (291 Grecians)