Exeter City FC

Tom Parkes was delighted to get on the scoresheet even if he was disappointed at the other end as Exeter City were held 1-1 against Crewe Alexandra at St James Park on Tuesday night.

Tom opened the scoring with a deft finish following a corner after 31 minutes in his first goal for the club since scoring in the Devon derby back in October.

“I was pleased to score, but the main thing was defending and trying to get a clean sheet because we haven’t had one of those in a while,” Tom said. “It’s always difficult as the game goes on, the pitch rips up a little bit but we have to try and play our game.”

Tom’s goal was cancelled out by Michael Nottingham’s second-half effort following a free-kick that the Grecians were unable to clear, and the ball squirmed beyond Lewis Ward into the corner. Both sides pressed forward in search of a winner, but it wasn’t to be.

“As a squad we’re pleased to get a point as they’re a good team, they’ve shown that this season, but we’re disappointed with the goal we’ve conceded.

“They’re a good footballing team and tonight the boys dug in well, created some great chances, got the goal and it’s a shame we didn’t hold on.

Looking forward, the centre-back said that “We’ve got to work hard through the week because we’ve got another massive game on Saturday against Walsall. It’ll be a good game, a tough game, hopefully we can go there and play some football and get a massive three points.”