Cobblers pick up handy away point with hard-fought draw at Exeter

The Grecians totally dominated the first half in terms of possession (70-30), shots (9-0) and corners (8-0) but Town at least limited the hosts to few clear-cut chances, with most of their efforts coming from outside the penalty box.

The second period was far more even, and Cobblers arguably had the best chance of the game when Elliott List lifted over from close-range, but in the end both sides were forced to settle for a point apiece. The result lifts Town to 17th in League One.

Kevin Nolan reverted to the same line-up that beat Stevenage last weekend after rotating his squad for Tuesday’s EFL Trophy win at Wimbledon, but there were two changes on the bench where Jake Evans and Jack Burroughs replaced Joe Wormleighton and Michael Jacobs. Tyrese Fornah was absent for personal reasons.

The signs were ominous right from the get-go at St James Park as Cobblers barely made it out of their own half in the opening 10 minutes, while Exeter knocked the ball about with confidence and sent two early efforts over and then wide.

Town did briefly have a spell in the City half but the first big chance fell to Exeter on 18 minutes when Jayden Wareham was found in space in the middle of the penalty box and both Elliott Moore and Michael Forbes threw their bodies in the way to block his goalbound effort.

Exeter’s superiority could be reflected in the fact that they took took all of the first six shots and also had the first five corners of the game, and it was clearly a tactic to target the space in behind Max Dyche and Kamarai Swyer on the right side of Town’s defence.

Tricky winger Timur Tutierov had the beating of both men, and his quick feet beat Swyer all ends up and created another chance, this time for Jake Doyle-Hayes who whistled a shot wide.

Having been thoroughly outplayed, Cobblers were grateful to reach half-time on level terms and the interval gave Nolan an opportunity to tweak things, and it was no surprise to see Jack Burroughs replace Swyer.

Whilst the pattern of the game did not change, the visitors at least had a shot eight minutes into the second half and it was a decent chance too, Elliott List lifting over from close-range from a corner.

That was List’s last contribution as he made way for Jack Vale, but Exeter once again went close when another attack down their left saw Wareham wriggle into the penalty box and force Ross Fitzsimons to save with his feet.

The second half was far more even though and Cobblers looked much more a threat, with a poor first touch letting Cameron McGeehan down in the penalty box before Nesta Guinness-Walker slashed wide, while Wareham shot straight at Fitzsimons down the other end.

Nolan made two further subs, including a 449th Northampton appearance for Sam Hoskins, which brought him level with Ian Sampson in second place on the all-time list. Jack Perkins was the other player to come on with Guinness-Walker and Tom Eaves making way.

Exeter gradually wrestled control back as the second half wore on and they were the team in the ascendency heading into the final 15 minutes, but chances were thin on the ground in the closing stages.

McGeehan had the ball in the net but was flagged offside while a couple of efforts from the hosts were easy for Fitzsimons, and the contest rather fizzled out during the five minutes of added time.

Exeter: Whitworth, Niskanen, Sweeney ©, Turns, Yfeko (Higgins 65), Woodhouse, Doyle-Hayes, Brierley, Aitchison (Magennis 83), Tutierov (Rydel 83), Wareham

Subs not used: Bycroft, Rydel, Oakes, Birch

Cobblers: Fitzsimons, Dyche, Moore, Forbes, Taylor, Campbell, Swyer (Burroughs 45), Guinness-Walker (Perkins 63), List (Vale 53), McGeehan ©, Eaves (Hoskins 63)

Subs not used: Burge, McCarthy, Evans

Referee: Oliver Mackey

Attendance: 6,310

Cobblers fans: 350