City 2 Northampton Town 2

A devastating last-minute Northampton equaliser saw Ex City held to a draw against the Cobblers at St James Park.

City took the lead through captain Jake Taylo, who netted his first of the season, before Billy Waters levelled for the away side.

Jayden Stockley then struck late in the first half to give City a 2-1 lead, but City were pegged back once again on 90 minutes when a Northampton corner seemed to come off a City player and end up in the back of the net meaning the points were shared.

Grecians boss Matt Taylor made four changes to the side that was eliminated from the FA Cup last week by Blackpool, with Christy Pym making his return to the starting line-up, alongside Lee Holmes, while Aaron Martin and Tristan Abrahams kept their places in the starting 11 from the midweek win over Bristol Rovers in the Checkatrade Trophy.

It was City that edged a tight opening quarter of an hour, and first came close when a corner routine saw Lee Holmes’ cross-turned-shot hit the post. However, the Grecians were not to be denied a few moments later, as skipper Taylor surged into space on the inside-right flank of the Northampton penalty area and fired past David Cornell in the Cobblers’ goal with 16 minutes on the clock.

A lively Tristan Abrahams threatened to double the home side’s lead five minutes later, running onto Jayden Stockley’s header, but Cornell closed the angle down well and made the save. It acted as a catalyst for the visitors to grow into the game, and they were soon level through Waters – the visitors broke at speed, and after a great block by Nicky Law from Sam Hoskins’ initial effort, the ball rebounded and fell kindly for Waters, who bundled over from close range.

Only a superb save from Christy Pym prevented the visitors from then taking the lead as a delicate ball was lofted into van Veen, and while his header was powerful, it was straight enough for Pym to get down and make a great reaction save, before Aaron Martin cleared the danger. As the game opened up, there were more chances at both ends when Holmes’ effort from the left-hand side of the penalty area arrowed narrowly wide of Cornell’s far post, before Stockley fired agonisingly wide from just outside the area.

Stockley then made amends just before half-time after a spell of prolonged pressure. Pierce Sweeney’s rasping effort was blocked spectacularly, though City recycled possession, eventually finding Woodman on the other flank, and his cross to the back post was met by Stockley, who headed back across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

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