Exeter manager delighted with draw, club strengthens on deadline day
Exeter City manager Matt Taylor says he felt like ‘a proud parent’ after his side held League Two promotion favourites Barnet to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
The result left thousands of sports bettors cursing, with the London-based club coming in for heavy support in the run-up to the game.
With plenty of the season still to play, the League 2 betting odds will continue to attract attention from punters.
Grecians defy the odds against Barnet
Exeter fell behind at St James Park after Idris Kanu scored for the visitors midway through the second half, but Reece Cole equalised just seven minutes later.
The Grecians have had a mixed start to their League Two campaign, picking up just one victory from their opening three matches.
However, they dug deep against a physical Barnet side to claim a valuable point. The result left Exter 15th in the standings, but only three points off the play-off places.
Taylor said: "I can't speak highly enough of the players," Taylor told BBC Radio Devon.
"I'm like a proud parent in terms of what they were up against tonight and how Barnet have started the league, and what they'll do this season, and everything that is going against us in that moment.
"I'm so, so proud of the way they showed physical bottle for 99 percent of the game, and in the one moment we got punished they showed character to not go under and to come back into the game.
"We look like a threatening team and we've created enough in the first half to be ahead in the game.
"As much as their pressure felt like a lot, Barnet didn't make chance after chance, which is a credit to everyone."
Exeter add depth to their squad on deadline day
With Taylor understandably focused on Exeter’s latest league fixture, the club’s bosses worked hard behind the scenes to strengthen his squad on deadline day.
Exeter have focused on the free transfer and loan market this summer and Taylor is delighted with the business they have completed.
They signed defender Jack Taylor on loan and added strikers Danny Rose and Ajay Matthews to their squad yesterday. Forward Jayden Wareham joined Wycombe Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.
Taylor has arrived at the club from Stevenage after previously playing for Sutton United. He impressed during his time in League Two.
Matthews has been signed on a season-long loan from Championship club Millwall, while Rose has agreed a two-year deal after joining from National League outfit Barrow.
Rose is a proven performer in the English Football League. He helped Stevenage win promotion to League One in 2022/23, so knows what it takes to be successful at this level.
Taylor was understandably delighted to add extra firepower to his squad after losing Wareham to League One club Wycombe.
"I think our fans will know Danny Rose from his time at Mansfield and Northampton and Grimsby and then Barrow back in the last season,” Taylor said.
“He's a player who's been of a certain pedigree throughout his career and a real handful at the top of the pitch.
"He will work his socks off for the team and will add a little bit of experience to that front line. So, he’s a good profile and platform for the team to go into.
“I know what he's like as a character as well. He is chomping at the bit to get back into the Football League and add to the group.”
Exeter return to action on Saturday at home to Walsall.
