Exeter City were relegated to Sky Bet League Two following a 2-1 home defeat against Playoff-chasers Bradford City.
Exeter City hosted Bradford City at St James Park on the final day of the 2025/26 Sky Bet League One season needing a victory to at least potentially secure their place in the third division for another season. Survival would rely on results in the capital going the way of the Grecians however, with Leyton Orient hosting Burton Albion as the O’s searched for survival.
Matt Taylor made two changes to his side that drew 1-1 with the Brewers a week prior at the Pirelli Stadium, with Liam Oakes and Carlos Mendes Gomes reintroduced to the XI in place of Kevin McDonald and Timur Tutierov respectively.
First Half
With the news of an early Leyton Orient goal ringing round the corners of St James Park, Exeter City looked to go ahead five minutes in when Pierce Sweeney drilling a cross towards the back post, finding Carlos Mendes Gomes. The Bolton Wanderers loanee was unable to cleanly connect with the ball though, resulting in the chance being squandered.
The Grecians were almost caught out ten minutes in when Antoni Sarcevic connected with a lofted ball to head goalwards in front of a retreating Jack Bycroft, fortunately though it would drift north of the crossbar and into the Thatchers Big Bank.
Sarcevic worked the City back line again shortly afterwards, winning a free kick on the edge of the box after Ed James brought him to ground. After the referee brandished a yellow card for the young defender’s challenge, the Bantams took the set-piece which pinballed around the penalty area before falling to Ibou Touray on the edge of the box whose shot drifted narrowly wide of the post.
The Bantams found themselves with another set-piece opportunity on the edge of the box after a foul from Jack McMillan. The ball curled towards goal before a Bradford man got a head to the ball, forcing Bycroft into another fine stop. The energy from the elated supporters was drained seconds later however, when Kayden Jackson picked up the ball high up the pitch before slotting it past the goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead.
A late corner for the Grecians that failed to properly threaten the Bradford goal would be the last of the first half action, with referee Ollie Yates blowing for the half-time.
Second Half
Charlie Cummins looked to begin the second half of play on a more positive light, picking the ball up midway inside the Bradford half before driving forward and shooting on the edge of the box. While the young midfielder’s effort peeled wide of the goal, it gave the St James Park faithful something to cheer about early on. The Irishman again went hunting for an opener when he flicked a smart ball forward to Mendes Gomes who tested Sam Walker from close range; Certainly, a more encouraging start to the second half for the Grecians.
Further hope came with a free kick awarded on the edge of the box after Bradford captain Max Power dragged Reece Cole to ground. While City's no.12 saw both of this efforts blocked by the visiting back line ruthlessly defending their lead, the Grecians won a corner shortly after. While another set piece came, another chance went begging as the Bantams held one once more to retain their lead.
Former Bradford man Kevin McDonald got to try his shooting boots on the hour mark after picking the ball up from a corner, however his effort, despite heading for the top corner, was deflected over for another corner kick that City were unable to capitalise on.
What began as a promising half of football for the hosts was soon contrasted with ten minutes to go. McMillan looked to head the ball home to Bycroft, however misjudged his pass allowing Sarcevic to pick the ball up and slot home from six yards out and double the lead for the visitors. With the Grecians now trailing by two goals, they'd given themselves a seemingly impossible mountain to climb with just minutes left.
With six minutes of stoppage time added, Josh Magennis rose high from a corner to retrieve a late consolation goal, however it was too little too late. Yates blew the whistle soon after to confirm the Grecians relegation to Sky Bet League Two after a four-year stay in the third division.
Match Details
Exeter City XI
Bycroft (GK), McMillan, Mendes Gomes (Rydel 60'), Wareham, Cole (Aitchison 68'), Niskanen, Andrew (Tutierov 46’), Sweeney ©, Oakes (McDonald 46’), James, Cummins (Magennis 68')
Exeter City Unused Subs
Fitzwater, Woodhouse
Exeter City Yellow Cards
James (15’), Andrew (42’), Rydel (86')
Exeter City Goalscorers
Magennis (90+3')
Bradford City XI
Walker (GK), Touray, Wright, Power ©, Neufville, Sarcevic (Kelly 88'), Baldwin, Jackson (Powell 73'), Metcalfe, Tilt, Lapslie
Bradford City Unused Subs
Hilton (GK), Humprhys, Swan, Pennington, Ashby
Bradford City Goalscorers
Jackson (27’), Sarcevic (80')
Bradford City Yellow Cards
Power (51’)
Attendance
8,015 (including 1,330 away supporters)