A late equaliser from Jayden Wareham was enough to secure a point on home soil against Wycombe Wanderers.
A day on from the announcement of Gary Caldwell's departure to rejoin his former club Wigan Athletic, it was down to Dan Green and Kevin Nicholson to steer the ship as Wycombe Wanderers made the journey to St James Park in the third meeting of the season in all competitions.
Josh Magennis was given his first start since a defeat at the Toughsheet Community Stadium back in December, a familiar setup with two number nines seen at the earlier games of the season. Ryan Rydel was also named in the XI for the first time since September, the Stockport loanee's season hampered thus far with injury and recovery.
First Half
Wycombe arrived at St James Park with a clear vengeance, looking to better their record against the Grecians after suffering defeat in August and in December already this season. The Chairboys wasted no time in getting going, with skipper Jack Grimmer flashing a ball across goal in the opening minutes.
Dan Green’s team had no choice but to acknowledge the hunger shown by the visitors in those opening phases, gradually growing into the game and becoming more comfortable as the clock ticked on it seemed.
With almost ten minutes on the clock the Grecians got their best chance yet. A ball flung into the Wycombe box was met at the back post by Josh Magennis, the Northern-Irishman heading acoss to Ethan Brierley whose header flew just over the crossbar in a frenzied attack on the Tracks Suzuki St James Road Stand.
Minutes later Jayden Wareham would get his bite at the cherry after a defensive error from the Chairboys. City’s number nine won the ball 35-yards out with and with Will Norris far off his line, he let fly an ambitious effort that sailed just north of the crossbar.
The game remained goalless until the 22nd minute when Fred Onyedinma beat Joe Whitworth to the ball, the goalkeeper well off his line and miss-communicating with defender Pierce Sweeney, allowing the Nigerian to slot home into an empty net and give the visitors the lead.
On the half-hour mark Ewan Henderson would provide another attempt for the visitors, however the midfielder’s shot rose too high and found only the midst of onlooking Big Bank. With minutes left until the break, City applied heavy pressure once again on the Wanderers’ penalty area, winning a free-kick just outside the area.
The referee's whistle came too soon however, Sweeney's header from Ethan Brierley's set-piece was caught by Norris and proved to be the final bit of action for the first 45.
Second Half
Now attacking towards the Big Bank, Whitworth’s long goal-kick was met up top by Magennis. With the veteran striker hassled by the Chairboys’ back line, the ball was eventually played out wide to Rydel on the left who worked hard to win a corner early on.
A brace of set pieces came to no avail though; Luca Woodhouse’ header at the back-post was fired just over the crossbar, ending the Grecians' spell of possession in front of the home fans.
Serial scorer against the Wanderers in their December visit, Jack Aitchison found Wareham inside the area on the hour mark, however the striker’s effort was easily read by Norris, saving comfortably and allowing the visitors to recuperate from a spell of danger from City.
Substitute Akeel Higgins then made an impressive run down the left however with pressure being applied from the Wycombe back line, the West Bromwich Albion loanee had no choice but to cross the ball earlier than he would have liked, landing awkwardly inside the area and letting the Wanderers' clear.
Wareham once more arrived at the back-post, with Norris winning the duel and punching the ball away, however another opportunity for the striker soon came with the introduction of Timur Tutierov. The Ukrainian met a Sweeney cross inside the Wycombe area, heading across to Wareham who acrobatically rose for a bicycle kick, however the young striker was unable to cleanly connect, allowing the visitors to reclaim the ball.
With ten minutes left on the clock, former Chairboy Luca Woodhouse almost came back to haunt his former team after a corner was initially cleared before being crossed back into the area, with the defender eagerly waiting at the back-post only for his effort to strike the outside of the post.
As five minutes was added on at the death, Higgins would get the time he wanted on the ball before launching a fine cross into the area. Wareham would rise high to meet the cross and head home for his 14th goal of the season in all competitions and level City up late on.
As celebrations of Wareham's equaliser were still ringing around the Park, Tutierov almost made it a second for City after an impressive run into the area only for his shot to strike the outside of the net. A short spell of defending from Dan Green's men at the death was ended when the referee blew for the draw moments afterwards.
Another hard-earned point on home turf as the Grecians remain unbeaten in three.
Up Next
The Grecians are back on the road this weekend as they travel to the Weston Homes Stadium to face Peterborough United in another Sky Bet League One encounter. Tickets for this game are now on sale, with more information available here.
Match Details
Exeter City XI
Whitworth (GK), Rydel (Higgins 60'), Turns, Brierley, Wareham, Aitchison, Niskanen, Sweeney (C), Magennis (Tutierov 71'), Doyle-Hayes (Cox 85')
Exeter City Unused Subs
Bycroft (GK), Oluwabori, Dean, Oakes
Goalscorers
Wareham (90+1')
Wycombe Wanderers XI
Norris (GK), Grimmer (C), Harvie, Morley, Quitirna (Vidigal 64'), Woodrow (Allen 81'), Casey, Henderson (Leahy 46'), Harris (Fink 92'), Onyedinma, Hagelskjaer
Wycombe Wanderers Unused Subs
Van Sas (GK), Mullins, Huggins
Goalscorers
Onyedinma (22')
Yellow Cards
Henderson (45'), Harris (49')