Shrewsbury 1-1 Exeter

Marcus Stewart’s 83rd minute close range finish rescued a point Exeter and extended our unbeaten run to 7 games.

Matt Gill’s first half penalty which crashed against the crossbar was City’s only real chance until a well worked setpiece gave Stewart his fifth goal of the season and set off huge celebrations amongst the 300 or so travelling fans.

In a tale of two penalties, Grant Holt had slammed home his spot-kick just after the interval but the Shrews took their foot off the gas a little and Exeter slowly worked their way back into the match.

The point (that at full-time felt almost like a victory) keeps the Grecians above Shrewsbury who will be annoyed they couldn’t hold on for three valuable points.

The away support was once again top-notch. To have 300 or so fans, most of whom travelled the 3hr 30mins drive from Exeter for a Tuesday night game, must be such a boost for the players. The way they all clapped the fans as soon as the emerged from the tunnel showed just how impressed they were with the turn out.



For the views of Paul Tisdale after the match visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7923483.stm

Player Ratings

Jones 7
Made some very smart saves and his catching and kicking were spot on

Troy Archibold-Henville 6
Although he gave away the penalty with his only mistimed challenge of the evening Troy was at times targeted by a physical Shrews team and will no doubt feel rather battered and bruised this morning.

Rob Edwards 5
Very poor display from Edwards. Miles off the pace and his performance last night showed his age. At times you feel if he was had one centre back alongside him and not two we would have been in far more trouble

Matt Taylor 8
As mentioned previously Taylor is a tower of strength and his ability at set-pieces is always a danger. With McAllister substituted Taylor seemed the only threat from long throws and corners. His header back across goal for Stewart was like most of Taylor’s performances this season: very impressive.

Dean Moxey 6
In the last twenty minutes Moxey played like he had all season. The 70 minutes previously he had been very subdued and with the horribly off form Edwards playing alongside him Moxey seemed reluctant to gamble on pushing forward and leaving the Welshman exposed.

Neil Saunders 5
A bad day at the office for Saunders. He was so quiet and contributed very little to the team, the introduction of Panther showed just how poor Saunders had been

Alex Russell 6
A quiet performance from Russell, he showed glimpses of his quality at times and didn’t do too much wrong. Provided some fantastic corners which eventually led to the equaliser

Matt Gill 6
Another solid performance from Gill. Was unlucky with a well struck penalty but it was always rising. Seemed shaken following that miss but slowly reverted back to his usual self

Craig McAllister 7
A frustrating night for McAllister, finally restored to the starting line-up he held the ball up so well but his team-mates provided awful support and he missed Logan alongside him.

Steve Basham 4
Basham and Stewart are far too similar to be playing in the same side. They want to be the same player, playing just off the striker and threading clever balls through. Instead they get in each others way and Basham put in a woeful performance. He lost 90% of balls in the air and his only attacking contribution were a few wayward shots

Marcus Stewart 6
A slightly better performance than Basham’s. Anyone in the squad would have finished his chance but I guess he had to be in the right place at the right time…. He also made some very good 50/50 tackles

Manny Panther 8
Made a fantastic impact. Playing in a right-wing position Panther contributed more in his 18 minute cameo than Saunders had offered all night. He beat his marker several times and looked a huge danger

Adam Stansfield 7
Crucially headed on Alex Russell’s corner to Taylor at the back post in the dying minutes, a move very un-Stansfield but very vital. He chased and harried as he usually does but he should have come on for Basham and not McAllister.

Manager Rating
There were more than a few looks of disbelief when Tisdale withdrew McAllister and had the side hitting long-balls to Stansfield and Basham but his tactics earnt us a point when it looked very unlikely and you cant ask for more than that.

Opponent Rating
His side looked compact, dangerous on the break and good in the air. But didn’t show much attacking flair and were rather overaly physical at times (Grant Holt for one was lucky to still be on the pitch)