Match ends, Walsall 3, Exeter City 1.
WalsallWalsall3ExeterExeter City1
Exeter had a goal controversially disallowed as their League Two automatic promotion hopes suffered another blow with a 3-1 defeat at mid-table Walsall.
Ryan Bowman thought he had put City ahead after cancelling out Rory Holden's opener but he was eventually ruled offside after a long consultation between the officials and Elijah Adebayo's double won it for Walsall.
Walsall went ahead after only three minutes as Exeter keeper Lewis Ward pushed Josh Gordon's cross out to Holden who steered home from eight yards.
They should have doubled their lead but Caolan Lavery lifted off target with only Ward to beat from six yards and Dan Scarr headed Danny Guthrie's free-kick over.
Exeter equalised after 51 minutes as Bowman headed home from Randell Williams' cross for his 14th goal of the season.
Then came the controversy as Bowman got a faint touch to flick home Williams' free-kick but, after initially giving the goal, referee Tom Nield ruled it offside.
Adebayo rubbed salt into their wounds, heading home Cameron Norman's cross after 71 minutes before tapping in Gordon's pull-back in stoppage time.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Roberts
- 2Norman
- 5J Clarke
- 6Scarr
- 3Pring
- 15Holden
- 7SinclairSubstituted forKinsellaat 69'minutes
- 16GuthrieBooked at 75minsSubstituted forSheronat 79'minutes
- 25McDonald
- 9LaverySubstituted forAdebayoat 68'minutes
- 10GordonBooked at 87mins
Substitutes
- 4Sadler
- 8Kinsella
- 11Adebayo
- 13Rose
- 20Bates
- 29Nolan
- 34Sheron
Exeter
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ward
- 20RichardsonBooked at 33mins
- 5Martin
- 15Parkes
- 24DickensonSubstituted forSweeneyat 73'minutes
- 4AtanganaSubstituted forTaylorat 45'minutes
- 27Collins
- 11Williams
- 17Jay
- 8LawSubstituted forFisherat 73'minutes
- 12BowmanBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 2Sweeney
- 7Martin
- 13Thompson
- 14Ajose
- 18Fisher
- 21Moxey
- 25Taylor
- Referee:
- Tom Nield
- Attendance:
- 5,521
Match Stats
Home TeamWalsallAway TeamExeter
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away2
- Corners
- Home5
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 3, Exeter City 1.
Post update
Archie Collins (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Elijah Adebayo (Walsall).
Post update
Attempt missed. Alex Fisher (Exeter City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ryan Bowman with a headed pass.
Booking
Ryan Bowman (Exeter City) is shown the yellow card.
Goal!
Goal! Walsall 3, Exeter City 1. Elijah Adebayo (Walsall) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Josh Gordon following a fast break.
Post update
Attempt saved. Josh Gordon (Walsall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Foul by Jayden Richardson (Exeter City).
Post update
James Clarke (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josh Gordon (Walsall) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Wesley McDonald.
Booking
Josh Gordon (Walsall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Bowman (Exeter City).
Post update
Cameron Norman (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Nathan Sheron replaces Danny Guthrie.
Post update
Attempt saved. Josh Gordon (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rory Holden with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Lewis Ward.
Booking
Danny Guthrie (Walsall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Danny Guthrie (Walsall).
Post update
Jayden Richardson (Exeter City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
