Exeter recover from 3-0 down to earn point against Walsall in thriller

Posted Sunday, December 22, 2019 by PA

Exeter fought back from three goals down after just 31 minutes to draw 3-3 with Walsall in a thrilling clash at St James Park.

Walsall went ahead after 14 minutes when Dan Scarr smashed the ball across the six-yard box and Exeter defender Pierce Sweeney inadvertently turned it into his own net.

It was 2-0 after 18 minutes as Aaron Martin’s slip allowed Caolan Lavery to run through on goal and he finished emphatically past Jonny Maxted.

Walsall made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark when a deep cross was headed in at the back post by Josh Gordon, but high-flying Exeter hit back immediately when substitute Tom Parkes’ header came back off the post and Ryan Bowman smashed in the rebound.

Bowman then scored again to make it 3-2 just before half-time, firing in off the post from Randell Williams’ superb pass.

It was all Exeter at the start of the second half and they made it 3-3 after 65 minutes when Lee Martin’s shot bobbled into the corner after a neat passing move.

Bowman was denied his hat-trick by a fine save, low down to his left by Liam Roberts, while Williams headed wide from a Jack Sparkes cross at the end for Exeter.