Oxford beat Exeter to secure play-off spot

Posted Saturday, April 27, 2024 by PA

Oxford clinched the final League One play-off place and can look forward to facing Peterborough after a 2-1 win at Exeter.

The U’s knew they had to rely on results elsewhere and Lincoln’s home defeat to Portsmouth and Barnsley’s draw with Northampton opened the door for them to finish in fifth place, which they did.

Oxford went in front in the 13th minute after a horrendous error by Pierce Sweeney, who gave the ball straight to Mark Harris and he ran in on goal before slotting past Vili Sinisalo.

The Finnish goalkeeper then made an outstanding reactive save to keep out Ciaron Brown’s point-blank header before more awful defending – this time from Will Aimson – led to an Oxford penalty after 40 minutes as the Exeter defender tripped Josh Murphy in the penalty box.

Cameron Brannagan drilled the ball to Sinisalo’s right to double Oxford’s lead.

Exeter were far better after the break and pulled one back in the 52nd minute when Millenic Alli headed in from a Tom Carroll corner before Ilmari Niskanen missed a great chance to equalise when he scuffed a shot wide from 10 yards.

Alli’s deflected cross then struck the post and Aimson headed over, but Exeter could not find the equaliser they deserved on the balance of play.