WYKE STAR OF THE LATE LATE SHOW
CARLISLE scored twice in the final ten minutes, including a 97th minute winner, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat – much to Exeter boss Paul Tisdale’s disappointment.
Staring down the barrel of successive league defeats for the first time since February 2015, the Cumbrians left it late, with substitute Shaun Miller heading home in the 89th minute before Charlie Wyke slammed home a half-volley to send Brunton Park into raptures.
It was an ending that left Tisdale in reflective mood as his side were denied at least a share of the spoils by their hosts’ late heroics.
“We played particularly well and I thought we deserved at least a point so we feel gutted,” said the Grecians supremo, who will have had plenty of time to reflect on the 350-mile journey home.
“Even with all the pressure at the end and the late goals we still feel hard done-by with a poor offside decision at 2-2. That could easily have been our winner.
“It seems to be the way things are going for us.
“We need to keep our heads up because the players did so well and it is not the first time we have come a cropper with a bad decision.
“We absolutely deserved at least a draw but you don’t always get what you deserve.”
The game had started in equally thrilling fashion as Reuben Reid caught the hosts cold within 40 seconds, latching on to a long ball over the top to slide his shot under Mark Gillespie.
Wyke scored his first of the day to restore parity nine minutes later, heading home from close-range after Danny Grainger’s looping deflected cross found him at the near post.
But Exeter played well in the first half and regained a deserved lead in the 54th minute, Lee Holmes slotting his shot past Gillespie after the hugely impressive and hardworking Reid cut the ball back from the right.
City looked to be heading to victory before the late drama which also saw substitute Jamie Devitt sent off for a second booking.
It was a cruel ending for the visitors, with Carlisle boss Keith Curle gracious in victory.
“I sympathise with Paul. They did extremely well and you have got to be honest they deserved something out of the game,” commented Curle. “They haven’t got that because of the character and endeavour of our players and that belief about getting something out of the game. “The biggest plus for me was the support we got. The supporters were staying and willing us to do something. I can feel it behind me and I know the players on the pitch can sense it. “Days like this, we weren’t going to get things our own way. Where they [Exeter] are in the division at the moment is not right.”