Match ends, Accrington Stanley 1, Exeter City 1.
AccringtonAccrington Stanley1ExeterExeter City1
Accrington Stanley's automatic promotion bid from League Two is on hold after they were held to a draw by Exeter.
Table-topping Stanley needed a win over the Grecians to secure promotion to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history - but a draw means all the focus is now on Tuesday's home game with Yeovil.
Former Stanley loan player Jayden Stockley fired Exeter ahead after a cagey opening.
Matt Jay's initial effort was saved and Stockley pounced on a loose ball in the area, finding the roof of the net midway through the first half with his 21st goal of the season.
They could have doubled their lead moments later but Aaron Chapman finger-tipped over a Jay volley, while promotion-hopefuls Exeter, who slip to fifth, survived some pinball in their area with Billy Kee unable to connect.
Kayden Jackson equalised after 38 minutes with a solo goal, getting the ball on the edge of the area from Mark Hughes and driving it home for his 15th goal of the season.
Kee came close to adding to Stanley's tally but his long-range effort went narrowly over the bar.
Accrington started the second half strongly with Jordan Clark's 35-yard strike not far off, although - at the other end - Chapman had to be alert to keep out a Stockley strike with one hand.
Jake Taylor was also denied by the home keeper, Exeter's Hiram Boateng saw his fierce effort deflected just wide while, at the other end, Christy Pym denied Jordan Clark as the two sides shared the spoils.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Accrington
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Chapman
- 26Johnson
- 3Hughes
- 2Dunne
- 4DonacienSubstituted forRichards-Evertonat 68'minutes
- 7Clark
- 8Brown
- 28ConneelyBooked at 80mins
- 11McConville
- 29Kee
- 10Jackson
Substitutes
- 5Richards-Everton
- 6Nolan
- 9Zanzala
- 12Williams
- 16Maxted
- 17Esteves Sousa
- 32Rodgers
Exeter
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Pym
- 22Wilson
- 2Sweeney
- 38Storey
- 21MoxeySubstituted forCrollat 71'minutes
- 4James
- 6Tillson
- 44Boateng
- 20JaySubstituted forEdwardsat 74'minutes
- 11Stockley
- 25Taylor
Substitutes
- 5Archibald-Henville
- 12Jones
- 14Brunt
- 18Seaborne
- 23Croll
- 28Edwards
- 33Loft
- Referee:
- Oliver Langford
- Attendance:
- 3,135
Match Stats
Home TeamAccringtonAway TeamExeter
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away9
- Corners
- Home13
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Accrington Stanley 1, Exeter City 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jayden Stockley (Exeter City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Foul by Callum Johnson (Accrington Stanley).
Post update
Kyle Edwards (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Sean McConville (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jake Taylor (Exeter City).
Post update
Corner, Accrington Stanley. Conceded by Luke Croll.
Post update
Corner, Accrington Stanley. Conceded by Jordan Storey.
Post update
Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Luke Croll (Exeter City).
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Mark Hughes (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Jayden Stockley (Exeter City).
Post update
Corner, Accrington Stanley. Conceded by Luke Croll.
Booking
Seamus Conneely (Accrington Stanley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Seamus Conneely (Accrington Stanley).
Post update
Kyle Edwards (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Callum Johnson (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Tillson (Exeter City).
