Taylor left frustrated by Exeter’s draw at Crewe

Posted Sunday, October 06, 2019 by PA

Matt Taylor admitted he was left frustrated and angry after Exeter let Crewe back into the top-of-the-table clash at Gresty Road.

The Grecians took control after Dean Moxey handed them a second-minute lead, but the Railwaymen hit back after the break and Norwegian loan striker Chuma Anene came off the bench to fire an equaliser in the 1-1 draw.

Taylor’s side have now gone three games without a win and have fallen off the summit of League Two. But on the evidence of this game both they and Crewe should stay in the promotion hunt.

Taylor admitted: “It wasn’t a good point for me as we should have won the game. We created enough chances in the first half to have been out of sight.

“I am frustrated and angry. We were executing our game plan with a good press and there was only one team in it in the first half when we created chances at will.

“But I can’t wait for things to happen this season and it is about being ruthless. I don’t want to criticise players, but it is either a lack of quality or the wrong mindset to make sure we score.

“We missed opportunities in the first half and our ball retention wasn’t as good in the second.”

Exeter’s 3-1 home loss at the hands of Grimsby last week ended a club-equalling record of 13 games unbeaten, but they were quickly back on track when veteran defender Moxey arrived to meet Nicky Law’s cross with a crashing strike at the back post.

Their attacking play eclipsed a Crewe side who have won games with panache this term. The Railwaymen despatched Salford emphatically on their last home outing but made little headway against a rearguard marshalled superbly by Moxey and Tom Parkes.

Exeter should have added to their tally in the first half but Ryan Bowman’s radar was off when he lashed a loose ball over the Crewe bar.

Lee Martin was a constant threat and keeper Will Jaaskelainen made two good saves to thwart him in either half.

Crewe had offered little save Tommy Lowery’s 20-yard drive which flew straight at keeper Lewis Ward.

But a raft of changes sparked the home attack into life after the hour mark with Daniel Powell and Anene instantly looking dangerous after coming on.

Powell forced a good stop from Ward but the keeper could get nowhere near Anene’s 76th-minute finish which levelled matters up.

The Norwegian, on loan from FC Mydtilland, profited from a fortunate bounce off his marker after Charlie Kirk launched the ball over the box, but his finish was excellent with the striker turning and rifling into the bottom corner.

Crewe boss Dave Artell praised Anene, who arrived at the club several weeks into the season.

Artell said: “Chuma took his goal well and looks a real threat. When you sign someone after the season has stated they have to get to know how we play, but he has been a good learner.

“He picks up things well and when he comes on he has done very well for us.

“I thought a draw was a fair result. It was two good teams and Exeter are the best we’ve faced by a distance this season. They will be up there, but I thought we showed we are a good team too against really good opposition.

“We conceded a terrible goal from a set-piece and that has got to stop as we won’t always get back in it. But we carried a threat and controlled the game for large parts of the second half.

“As good as Exeter were in the first we were our own worst enemies and played into their hands.”