Plymouth Argyle 2-2 Exeter City: FLW reports as spoils shared in nervy Devon Derby | OneFootball

FLW reports from the Devon Derby as Plymouth Argyle hosted Exeter City in a high-stakes game for both sides.

Plymouth Argyle came from behind twice to earn a point in the 95th Devon Derby against Exeter City, with a closely-fought battle ending 2-2.

The first half of the fierce contest was hardly a classic. Plenty of chances came and went for Argyle, with City goalkeeper Jack Bycroft playing a huge hand in keeping his side level with some important saves.

Owen Oseni's three-yard effort 10 minutes in and Lorent Tolaj's venomous strike from the edge of the box proved to be the best chances for Tom Cleverley's men, but Bycroft's heroics ultimately meant the sides went in scoreless at the break.

The Pilgrims would rue the chances they squandered in the first half minutes after play resumed in the second. Reece Cole wriggled his way into the box before chipping Conor Hazard with an accomplished finish.

A frantic last 10 minutes ensued with Tolaj levelling from a corner, before Exeter retook the lead five minutes later thanks to Jayden Wareham's deflected strike.

Malachi Boateng then prodded home another Argyle equaliser following a goalmouth scramble as the clock hit 90, which would earn his side a point after they fell behind twice.

Plymouth Argyle 2—2 Exeter City

Following a bitty start to the contest, Exeter hit Argyle on the break when Carlos Mendes Gomes broke down the left flank. Alex Mitchell managed to track back, get in between his man and the ball and shepherd it out of play for a goal kick.

Two minutes later, the hosts should've had the lead. Wes Harding's cross was flicked into the path of Oseni by Mitchell, but Bycroft was on hand to produce a stunning foot save right on his goal line.

The Pilgrims then had a chance on the counter 20 minutes in. A lung-busting run from Tolaj found Oseni on the right, who drilled an effort into the sidenetting of Bycroft's goal.

Plymouth had another golden opportunity on the half-hour mark to break the deadlock that drifted agonizingly wide. Jamie Paterson's free-kick from inside his own half was met by the head of Mitchell and steered just high and wide of the net.

Another set piece three minutes later was recycled into the box by Paterson, which led to a goalmouth scramble as Tolaj tried to prod home the loose ball. Exeter somehow managed to clear their lines just in the nick of time.

Bycroft then had to make another strong save to keep the Grecians from falling behind. Tolaj drilled an effort from around 20 yards out which the stand-in goalkeeper tipped around the post, ending a five-minute-long Argyle onslaught.

The Exeter keeper then had his first nervy moment in the 45th minute when he punched Boateng's header straight back into danger, only to redeem himself seconds later by saving Oseni's follow-up.

The halftime whistle came not long after, bringing to an end what was a half of football dominated by chances for the hosts, but they were ultimately left without a goal to show for all their hard work.

Just over a minute into the second half, Exeter took the lead. Cole wiggled his way past Mitchell before dinking a neat effort over Hazard to send the travelling supporters into raptures.

Argyle really struggled against the wind in the second half with their route one approach. Their best chance to level came in the 68th minute when Ronan Curtis played in Tolaj, who blasted a shot into the Devonport End.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, the Pilgrims set up a grandstand finish by getting themselves back on level terms. A Curtis corner was knocked into the path of Tolaj by Josh Magennis, allowing him to head home.

The equaliser was the start of a frantic conclusion to the match. Five minutes after Argyle's number nine hit the net, Exeter's followed suit. The Greens failed to properly clear a long throw, which fell to Wareham inside the box, whose shot deflected past Hazard.

The Grecians' lead didn't last as long this time though, as a deep cross from substitute Xavier Amaechi fell at the back stick, allowing Boateng to steer in another equaliser as the clock hit 90.

After eight minutes of additional time, referee Matt Corlett brought the 95th Devon Derby to a close. Both sides were forced to settle for a point after a thoroughly entertaining game of football.

Plymouth Argyle player ratings

C. Hazard - 3

J. Edwards - 5 (J. MacKenzie 80'(5))

M. Ross - 5

A. Mitchell - 4

W. Harding - 4

M. Boateng - 5

J. Paterson - 5 (C. Watts 57'(5))

O. Dale - 6

R. Curtis - 6

O. Oseni - 5 (X. Amaechi 57'(5))

L. Tolaj - 6

Unused substitutes: L. Ashby-Hammond, B. Galloway, C. Roberts, M. Sorinola

Exeter City player ratings

J. Bycroft - 7

J. McMillan - 5

P. Sweeney - 6

E. James - 5

D. Andrew - 5

K. McDonald - 5 (J. Magennis 67'(4))

C. Cummins - 5

I. Niskanen - 6

R. Cole - 7 (J. Aitchison 75'(5))

C. Mendes Gomes - 6 (R. Rydel 67'(5))

J. Wareham - 7

Unused substitutes: F. Phillips, E. Brierley, L. Woodhouse, T. Tutierov

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Match attendance

Unsurprisingly, there was a sell-out crowd at Home Park on Saturday lunchtime, with a total of 17,016 fans in attendance, including 1748 making the inter-county hop from Exeter.

Tom Cleverley left disappointed despite Plymouth Argyle's double derby fightback

Speaking to the press post-match, Argyle boss Cleverley said: "Yeah disappointment and I’m sure in a couple of days I’ll reflect on the character we’ve shown to come from behind twice.

“We’ve not stopped the moment with drawing the game, but yeah, I’m disappointed first and foremost.

“Firstly, it was the windiest day of the year it felt like and that really really affected the quality of the football match.

“Secondly, I thought we looked a bit edgy as a team.

“I think the 20 shots and the 10 on target probably flatter us a little bit. I don’t think we showed enough quality — I was quite shocked when I saw those numbers.

“Two poor goals [conceded], very similar to the Bolton game where we were on top and then, just after halftime, sh0ot ourselves in the foot and then again at 1-1.

“Whenever we see things that become more consistent and less a blip, we have to address them, and we will do in the week.

“But yeah, we feel like two points dropped today and the performance didn’t deserve anything more.”

Matt Taylor left with mixed emotions after Exeter City concede late equaliser

Speaking to the press post-match, Exeter interim boss Matt Taylor said: “Mixed emotions - immensely proud of my players, the supporters, the football club.

“But when you go ahead twice and go ahead for the second time so late in the game, you’re hoping and expecting you can see the game out.

“Full credit to the opposition, they put us under enough pressure to get back into the game.

“I liked us today, we gave everything and a little bit more.

“We actually probably missed some attacking opportunities in that first half - there was a bit more space for us to play and to break through.

“Maybe a bit of nerves, maybe a bit of anxiety.

“Turning up to the ground today, I don’t think you realised how big a part the wind played in that game.

“I think you could sense in terms of controlled passes and controlled moments in the game.

“You add set pieces to that, there wasn’t as many and balls were going out of play and out the back, and there was a continued moment of a restart from the goalkeeper’s goal-kick.

“I can’t speak highly enough of what the players did today.”