Coleman’s promotion party put on ice.. for now
JOHN COLEMAN admitted he felt deflated after Stanley’s bid for automatic promotion was put on hold until Tuesday.
Table-topping Stanley needed a win over the Grecians to secure promotion to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history, but a draw means all the focus is now on Tuesday’s home game with Yeovil.
Former Stanley loan player Jayden Stockley fired Exeter ahead after 21 minutes with his 21st goal of the season.
Kayden Jackson equalised for the Reds after 38 minutes with a solo effort, rifling home his 15th goal of the campaign from the edge of the area. The game could have gone either way, with Aaron Chapman denying Stockley, and Stanley unable to finish off a number of goalmouth scrambles – leaving the spoils shared.
“I feel deflated,” said Coleman, whose side dropped points for the first time at home in 2018 following nine straight wins at the Wham Stadium.
“I feel deflated because we haven’t won the game, not because we haven’t been promoted. We have got so used to winning and, after winning seven on the bounce, you get a taste for it.
“Exeter are a good side and it was an open end-toend game. On the balls into the box, we probably shaded it and, on the quality of chances, they probably shaded it.”
Exeter dropped to fifth place, four points off the automatic promotion spots.
“It was a terrific match to watch,” said Grecians manager Paul Tisdale. “It was end-to-end and after half-time it could have gone either way.
“In the second half, we made their keeper work, which you have got to do.
“I am proud of the players, we took the game to them and looked for a win and that’s even with a depleted team, as we had to use some of the young lads, because we have some big players missing.
“But we pushed Accrington, who are a good side, all the way and that’s why we have got to be proud.
“We have had two consecutive away games and taken four points and I would have taken that before we set off.” MARK COOPER praised his Forest Green side for bouncing back with a much-needed win.
Christian Doidge’s effort proved enough for all three points.
Cooper said: “It was a spirited performance in a local derby, where you have to fight and scrap and you get that little bit of quality with the goal.”
Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson said: “We didn’t really get ourselves into the game at any point. They looked like they were fighting for their lives.”