Exeter Heartbroken at MK Dons

Exeter City threw away a two goal lead and a potential money spinning third round tie, as they lost 4-3 at MK Dons.

In an uninspiring first half, City were caught napping at the back, and the home side took the lead through Sam Baldock.

However, the Grecians turned the match on its head in four minutes early in the second half. He first headed level from a pin-point Ryan Harley, and then put his side ahead when he scrambled the ball over the line. And City looked to have put their name into the third round hat for the first time in five years when Troy Archibald Henville`s ball released substitute Adam Stansfield who finished well.

City had a 3-1 lead and twenty minutes lead to defend it. But perhaps the 'defend` part says it all. As has been highlighted recently, City haven`t bee too successful in sitting on leads in recent away games. Barely three minutes had past since Stansfield`s goal when Baldock scored his second to half the Don`s deficit. Five minutes later and with fifteen minutes left on the clock, Martin Devaney headed past Andy Marriott to level matters. What strategy would City employ now? Unsurprisingly, a win for the home side looked more likely then a draw, let alone a City win. And with four minutes left on the clock (the same minute that Clive Platt equalised for Colchester against City), Argyle reject Jermaine Easter headed in to score his third goal against the Grecians this season.

Exeter don`t have much time to lick their wounds. Another away trip starts December, and a big one at that. There will be sure to be a strong Grecian following on Tuesday at local (ish) rivals Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. And the way it`s going for Rovers, and City`s sudden aptitude for scoring away from home (12 goals in the last four games), this could be another high scoring one. Or perhaps a first 0-0 of the campaign…..?