Exeter 3-1 Colchester (AET): Grecians make League Two play-off final for third time in four years

Exeter booked their place in the League Two play-off final at Wembley but they needed extra-time to defeat Colchester.

The U’s had carried a 1-0 lead into the second leg but that advantage was soon eradicated when Aaron Martin fired in from close range after the visitors failed to clear a free-kick. 

And the home side had one foot in Wembley after Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken had a moment to forget.

Aaron Martin fired in the opener from close range after Colchester failed to clear a free-kick

The goal drew Exeter level on aggregate after Colchester had taken a 1-0 lead to St James Park

The home side made it 2-1 on aggregate with a goal from Jayden Richardson in the second half

Alex Fischer picked up a loose ball after Ryan Bowman saw his header hit the post and the forward laid it back to Jayden Richardson who fired a tame effort goalwards. Gerken appeared to have the shot covered by the ball somehow slipped underneath him and squirmed over the line.   

But the Colchester pulled themselves level on aggregate through substitute Courtney Senior. 

Cohen Bramall’s cross was unconvincingly palmed clear by Exeter keeper Jonny Maxted into the path of the sub who hit a first-time low strike into the back of the net. 

Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken had a moment to forget as he let the ball slip under him

The visitors drew level and took the game to extra-time through substitute Courtney Senior

With both sides tiring, extra-time beckoned. Neither side could find a breakthrough in the first 15 minutes but there would be a hero in the second period.

A surging run through midfield from Archie Collins ended with a lovely through ball for Bowman who beat the offside trap slot the ball beyond Gerken.

The time the hosts held on and Matt Taylor’s side sealed their third Wembley final in four years. The Grecians were defeated play-off finalists in 2017 and 2018 and will be hoping it’s third time lucky against the winner of the tie between Cheltenham and Northampton. 

Ryan Bowman was the hero as he scored the winning goal book Exeter’s place in the final