Exeter boss Taylor admits luck led to victory over Macclesfield

Matt Taylor admitted his side profited from a huge slice of luck as Ryan Bowman’s 88th-minute strike handed Exeter a 1-0 win over Macclesfield.

Nicky Law’s shot hit Bowman and flew into the net to get the Grecians off to a winning start.

The goal came after Lee Martin blocked teammate’s Tom Parkes’ goalbound header on the line as the home side pressed for a second-half winner.

Exeter boss Taylor said: “It was a difficult game. I felt Macclesfield were excellent, we weren’t quite tight enough in certain areas of the pitch in the first half and we let them dictate in the middle thirds of the pitch.

“It meant we were spread out and Macclesfield could play their game.

“It took an injection of energy, pace and impetus at the top end of the pitch in terms of Lee Martin coming on in the second half to give the team a little bit of energy.

“All of a sudden we started getting on the ball and looked a bigger threat. We grew as a group in terms of personality and character.

“It is a fixture you look forward to but when it doesn’t start perfectly anxiety can creep in.

“But we got a clean sheet, our keeper has made a couple of big saves, and we got stronger as the game went on and looked the fitter team for the last half an hour.

“The goal was scruffy and sometimes you need a bit of luck.

“Ryan was in the right place at the right time and there is no better time to score than at the end of the game.”

Macclesfield manager Sol Campbell was pleased with his side’s performance but warned they must take their chances if they are to improve on last season.

He said: “We played well but sometimes when you play well you can end up losing the game.

“We had opportunities and we need to be goal-hungry and realise when we are in good positions.

“We were on our heels around the box when we should be coming alive. It is the finishing touches we need to get better at.

“We tried as a team and if we had taken our chances early on it would have been a different game.

“We couldn’t do anything about the goal and we will dust ourselves down and go again.

“It is a long season, but we have got to get points on the board, get momentum going and keep on fighting in every single game.

“We will get there. Hopefully I will get one or two in before the window shuts. We will keep on looking for the right players until the end.”