City's victory wasn't enough to propel them into the play-offs however, as they ended up one point behind Stevenage Borough. The defeat cost Carlisle second place to Hereford and as 3rd place finishers, they will now play Aldershot Town in the play off semi-finals, with the first leg on Bank Holiday Monday at the Recreation Ground. Exeter needed to win and hope other results went their way. From the start, they appeared determined to take the game to the home team and get the win they needed to give themselves a chance. Veteran Paul Buckle tested Matty Glennon with a shot from distance after four minutes. Chris Lumsdon made a timely headed clearance from a testing Scott Hiley cross in the 11th minute as the game started off at a fast tempo. Then Jeannin crossed into the box and Steve Flack headed direct at Glennon who kept the ball out. Another minute in and Adam Murray produced a low shot on the turn that bounced inches wide of the far post. As the half progressed, both defences began to get on top and chances were at a premium. United's supply to the forwards was poor and the game became bogged down in a series of long balls and headed clearances. Lee Phillips had a shot cleared by Paul Arnison as the home team tried to get their noses in front after 35 minutes. Lumsdon fouled Chris Todd but Andy Taylor's free kick was well off target. Murray had the best chance of the half for United two minutes later when he arrived at the right time to meet a Magno Vieira header but he hammered wide from just inside the box. Exeter began the second half still looking livelier and it was no real shock when they made the breakthrough seven minutes after the break. Hiley's cross was misjudged by Glennon who came for it but was trapped in no man's land as Flack got to the ball first and floated a simple header over the stranded keeper and under the cross bar. Exeter threatened again in the air and it was an aerial route that brought the second goal ten minutes later. Jeannin's corner to the far post was perfectly flighted for Phillips to nod into the far corner. Phillips' last goal at Brunton Park was the one that almost sent Carlisle down in 1999 for Plymouth - this one might have sent Exeter up to the play-offs, but other results were conspiring to keep them in the Conference. Karl Hawley replaced Vieira and Paul Simpson made his first appearance at Brunton Park this season in place of Chris Billy. Hawley fired over on 73 minutes but the Cumbrians looked a little flat and lacked sparkle. Murray fired over and late on Gray saw his header well claimed by Paul Jones as the Grecians claimed the points. Al's verdict: Not a good way to finish the regular season with the play-off games coming up, but it's been a very good effort nevertheless to claim 73 points and qualify for a shot at instant promotion in our first season in the Conference. Exeter deserve a lot of credit for coming up and playing positively and they deserved their victory, even though it didn't quite prove to be enough. You have to feel for their fans as they were also just pipped for the play-offs last season but they are a strong well-run club these days and I would tip them for promotion next season if they carry on the way they are going. Aldershot will prove a stern test if they continue to play the way they have been in recent weeks. We'll need to be a lot stronger than we were today but I still fancy our chances to do them over two legs. |
