Exeter promoted to League One
Exeter have secured automatic promotion to Sky Bet League One after a 2-1 win against Barrow at St James Park.
Matt Taylor’s men knew only a win would secure a safe passage to the third tier for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign, and thanks to goals from Kieran Phillips and Matt Jay – which came after Cameron Dawson’s 11th-minute own goal – they have done just that.
Avoiding the play-off lottery will come as a great relief to Grecians fans, who have seen their side lose in three of the last five League Two play-off finals.
Barrow were intent on spoiling the party and, after turning Exeter around so they’d be shooting towards a rammed Big Bank in the first half, they then opened the scoring on 12 minutes.
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A long throw caused havoc in the Exeter penalty box, hit the far post and then went into the net off Exeter goalkeeper Dawson.
Exeter responded well with Timothee Dieng and Jack Sparkes seeing efforts deflect wide and Jay firing straight at Paul Farman.
Phillips missed a great chance when, after a lovely move, he shot against the top of the crossbar from eight yards.
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But he made amends on 35 minutes when he picked the ball up inside his own half and ran at the Barrow defence. He tried his luck from 25 yards and the ball took a deflection before creeping in at Furman’s near post.
Dawson made a superb save with his feet to deny Remeao Hutton before Jay fired Exeter in front on 78 minutes.
He took down a deep cross with one touch and smashed the ball into the bottom corner to send a packed house into delirium – and Exeter into League One.