Exeter City come back from 2-0 down

Match report: Exeter City 2 Cambridge 2

Exeter City came from two goals behind to force a 2-2 draw at home against Cambridge United.

The Grecians fell behind to a neat finish by Robbie Simpson just before the break, and the lead was extended soon after half-time when Craig Woodman touched a cross into his own net.

However the comeback was on when Tom Nichols netted his 11th of the season midway through the second period with a powerful strike across goal.

And then the scores were tied up with minutes to spare when David Wheeler rose highest to head in for the equaliser.

Midfielder Liam Sercombe started against Cambridge United for his 250th senior appearance as a Grecian, while the only change to the starting XI after the weekend draw with Bury saw Ryan Harley start ahead of Clinton Morrison, with Scot Bennett and David Noble still missing completely from the matchday 18.

The visitors were the first to have an opportunity when midfielder Ryan Donaldson won a free-kick just outside the area – Sullay Kaikai stepped up to hit the dead ball, and his effort nicked off the wall and wide.

Kaikai then had another opportunity as City were unable to nick the ball away from a neat interchange around the box, but he eventually dragged his left-footed shot wide.

City began to grow into the game and see more of the ball, and Tom Nichols had the home side’s first effort with a pop-shot from 25 yards, which in the end flew past the post of Chris Dunn.

Some patient build-up down the left-hand side led to another opportunity, and Craig Woodman’s deflected delivery hung up at the back post but Arron Davies miskicked a volley under pressure.

U’s striker Robbie Simpson went close with a bending, powerful effort from 25 yards, before a good bit of link-up at the other end between Sercombe and Nichols saw the latter pop a shot at goal from just outside the area and force a smart save from Chris Dunn.

Jamie McAllister had a chance to open his Exeter account on his home debut as a ball aimed into Nichols was deflected into his path, but his powerful side-footed effort was always rising.

Nichols’ work up front nearly got Exeter in on two occasions in quick succession. The first allowed him to cut inside off the left and burn past Michael Nelson before being brought down on the edge of the area. Then more persistent play allowed him to link up with Sercombe, whose powerful effort was saved well.

Instead, it was the U’s that took the lead through striker Simpson. After linking up on the edge of the area with strike-partner Jordan Slew, the U’s forward struck a low right-footed shot on the turn which crept into the net off the inside of the far post.

Half-time: Exeter City 0 Cambridge United 1