Reece Cole's second half strike earned a point for Exeter City as they hosted Barnet in Sky Bet League Two.
Exeter City returned to St James Park three days on from a 2-1 defeat to York City for the first Tuesday night encounter of the 2026/27 season. Manager Matt Taylor named three changes to his side that fell short in Yorkshire at the weekend with Jake Doyle-Hayes, Lakyle Samuel & Andrew Oluwabori all given the nod. Newest recruit Jack Taylor would have to wait until the weekend to be in consideration however after signing for the Grecians that morning.
Dean Brennan's Barnet side made the journey South-West three looking to go one better from their 2-2 draw with Cheltenham Town at the weekend after an impressive start to their second season back in the English Football League.
First Half
Having won the coin toss and opting to switch ends, Barnet skipper Danny Collinge looked to recreate Jack Fitzwater’s acrobatic opener against Accrington Stanley eight minutes in. While his effort did find the back of the net, celebrations were abruptly halted when Kevin Morris raised his flag for offside.
On his return to the Exeter City XI, Jake Doyle-Hayes responded to this early scare with a smartly timed through-ball over the top to Josh Gordon. The bee’s goalkeeper Matthew Cox was quick off his line however and won the race to claim the ball.
Also returning to the starting XI, Andrew Oluwabori likewise impressed down the right flank, skilfully dribbling past Myles Kenlock and taking the ball to the goal line before squaring. The cross found Gordon quickly arriving on the scene, though his attempt proved comfortable for Cox who made the save.
City mounted another attack soon after, with Gordon this time providing Reece Cole a delightful through-ball. Cole took a calm touch before letting fly, yet it was another chance that went begging for the Grecians as the ball drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
Cole found himself as the talisman in the next attack minutes later, picking up the ball in the midfield and dribbling goalwards before a foul from Comley on the edge of the box won a free kick in a dangerous position. Naturally, Cole stood over the ball before launching a driven shot towards the top-left corner, though Cox leapt across his line to pull off a fine save.
With Dean Brennan’s side having established more of a foothold in the game, Vincent Harper broke free down the left before a bookable offence from Charlie Lakin earned the Grecians another opportunity from a set piece. Cole again stepped forward and rattled off a shot that tested Cox, who punched the ball as far as Ethan Sutherland. The Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee sent an inviting cross back into the area, though no red shirts managed to connect with the ball.
Shortly afterwards, Sunny Singh Gill would blow his whistle and bring an end to the opening half that had seen the Grecians enjoy the majority of chances.
Second Half
Cole again found himself in the driving seat minutes into the half. The midfielder crossed from the right side to Gordon arriving in the penalty area; however, the striker was unable to keep his shot down and fired over.
Charlie Cummins was next to offer up a cross after picking up the ball on the right flank and despite the Irishman’s lofted pass finding Sutherland at the back post, he was also unable to produce a shot on target. However, Kevin Morris’ raised offside flag meant that the goal wouldn’t have stood regardless.
Regardless of the repeating attacks from the Grecians, it was the Bees who stung first. Kabongo Tshimanga struck low from the edge of the box to force Bycroft into a save, though the ball was flicked away as far as Idris Kanu whose shot from the edge of the box rolled home to open scoring.
Adam Senior looked to continue this burst of energy from the visitors as he met a diagonal ball at the back post and volleyed it goalwards. Fortunately, Bycroft reacted quickly to parry the ball away from close range and prevent Dean Brennan’s side from gaining a two-goal cushion.
Less than ten minutes on from going behind, City drew level through the man who’d been knocking on the door all night; Reece Cole. Edwards worked tremendously hard to win the ball back on the right wing before crossing & picking out Cole in the midst of the penalty area, allowing the midfielder to calmly slot home and level the affair.
Two minutes from time and the comeback was seemingly completed. Sutherland received the ball on the left wing before crossing to the back post where Edwards struck into the top left corner, however Kevin Morris' flag was raised once more for an extremely tight offside.
That decision proved to be the decisive moment in the game, with Sunny Singh Gill blowing up for full-time minutes later.
Up Next
The Grecians are back at St James Park on Saturday, 5th September as they welcome Walsall for more Sky Bet League Two action. Ticket information for this game is available by clicking the image below.
Match Details
Exeter City Starting XI
Bycroft (GK), Samuel, Fitzwater ©, Edwards, Gordon (Cox 73’), Oluwabori (Sutherland 26’), Cole, Cummins, Harper, Doyle-Hayes (Perry 56’), James
Exeter City Unused Subs
Phillips (GK), Oakes, Birch, Cayless
Exeter City Yellow Cards
Gordon (45+1’)
Exeter City Goalscorers
Cole (67’)
Barnet Starting XI
Cox (GK), Collinge ©, Senior, Williams, Lakin (Noel-Williams 73’), Kanu (Maskell 73’), Comley (Knowles 46’), Tshimanga, Gallagher, Reeves (Ofoborh 62’), Kenlock (Wright 66’)
Barnet Unused Subs
Ashby-Hammond (GK), Liwala-Lukizalamu
Barnet Goalscorers
Kanu (59’)
Barnet Yellow Cards
Comley (14’), Lakin (41’), Noel-Williams (82’), Knowles (86’)
Match Officials
Sunny Singh Gill (R), James Hooper (AR1), Kevin Morris (AR2), Jack Clench (4th)
Attendance
4,826 (including 168 away supporters)