Exeter City got the better of Rotherham United with a debut goal from Anthony Scully enough to secure the three points.
A second-half strike from new signing Anthony Scully on the day of his announcement was enough to secure all three points for Exeter City as they returned to winning ways at St James Park in Sky Bet League Two to continue the unbeaten run of form on home soil so far in the 2026/27 campaign.
Matt Taylor named new recruit Scully in the starting eleven following his announcement on the morning of the game, the former Lincoln, Portsmouth & Shrewsbury Town forward partnering Josh Gordon in at the top of the field. Academy graduate George Birch also found his spot in the XI to mark his full first team debut.
First Half
Seven minutes into the action and Exeter City had made a positive start to proceedings. Josh Gordon got behind the Rotherham back line in search of the ball however Julian Eyestone was quick off his line to get the ball away, the half clearance only made it as far as debutant Anthony Scully though whose shot was blocked by Dominic Iorfa half.
Jack Fitzwater was next to pressure the Millers’ goal after Lakyle Samuel swung a neat ball in from the right, though the header from the City skipper was caught by Eyestone at close range.
Marvin Kaleta responded for the visitors just inside the quarter of an hour mark. Following a short throw in on the right, the winger sent two inviting balls into the City penalty area, both of which failed to contact any arriving attackers letting the Grecians off the hook.
With Matt Taylor’s men having to withstand pressure from the visitors, Samuel began a promising attack on 25 minutes. The Manchester City loanee combined with Scully and Taylor Perry down the right flank before delivering a ball in, though Eyestone was there again to claim.
The Grecians used this momentum, and minutes later Scully played the ball through to Perry on the edge of the area who saw his drilled effort bobble just wide of the far post.
City withstood another period of attack from the Millers as they turned the penalty area into a pinball machine briefly with balls being cleared at all directions. The play ended with Josh Austerfield who got a powerful shot off from the edge of the area, however the ball would eventually go out of play for a goal kick.
The half would end with a brace of chances for the Grecians at the other end of the pitch, however the referees whistle for the break came before the deadlock could be broken.
Second Half
The visitors began the second half on the front foot, though it would be City who were first to find the breakthrough. George Birch drifted into his frequent territory on the left wing before he crossed low into the box where debutant Scully poked the ball home from close range to open scoring.
Alex Bruce’s side got the game back underway with a vengeance and soon found themselves back at the other end of the pitch pressurising Bycroft’s goal. Veteran striker Paul Mullin picked up the ball on the edge of the area and shot powerfully goalwards yet saw his effort drift North and land on St James Road.
Jake Doyle Hayes partnered with midfielder Perry as the Grecians went looking for a second, a smart one-two setting the number eight up for a well-placed cross into the area. Josh Gordon rise high to meet the cross, though his headed effort was placed just over.
Charlie Cummins picked up the baton with 20 minutes left on the clock as City continued to search for a second. The young Irishman picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and charged goalwards before shooting towards the bottom left corner, yet Eyestone got down as quickly as he could and made a stop.
After netting a late equaliser last season against Stockport County, Bycroft almost had an assist to his name with the following move. City’s shot-stopper hoofed the ball up field and found Birch who chopped onto his right and got a shot off. The outstretched leg of a Rotherham defender was enough to lift the ball away from goal, and Gordon’s follow-up header found only the palms of Eyestone.
Seconds into his introduction to the pitch, Ethan Sutherland almost got his name on the scoresheet too. A well driven cross from the right wing landed deep inside the Millers' penalty area where the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee volleyed the ball towards the top left of the goal, though the woodwork was there too save the day for Bruce's men.
The Grecians held on in the six minutes of added time to secure their second win of the 2026/27 season and continue their unbeaten home run.
Up Next
The Grecians are back at St James Park on Tuesday 6th October to face Oxford United in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy. Back City in their final group-stage game by clicking the image below.
Match Details
Exeter City Starting XI
Bycroft (GK), Samuel, Fitzwater (C), Taylor, Woodhouse, Doyle Hayes, Cummins, Perry (Oakes 79'), Birch (Sutherland 79'), Scully (Edwards 65'), Gordon (Cox 85')
Exeter City Unused Subs
Phillips (GK), Cayless, Kite
Exeter City Goalscorers
Scully (51')
Exeter City Yellow Cards
Woodhouse (43')
Rotherham United Starting XI
Eyestone (GK), Austerfield, Ngwenya (Spence 69'), Ashley, Mullin (C), Hall, Aljofree, Fitzgerald (Bradshaw 58'), Kaleta (Nemane 69'), Buyabu, Iorfa
Rotherham United Unused Subs
Cann (GK), Rafferty, Adegboyega, Douglas
Attendance:
5631 (310 from Rotherham)