A lively Swindon Town team were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Exeter City team, as both sides continued their unbeaten start to their league season.

Both teams came to St James Park following heavy cup defeats in midweek: Exeter lost 4-1 away to League 1 Coventry, while Swindon lost 3-0 to Colchester, though that result may have been flattering. Swindon striker Jerry Yates was sent off in that game, leaving the club without a recognised first team striker. However, the midweek arrival of Eoin Doyle on loan from Bradford City gave the Robins a new threat up front, and this threat was visible within the first five minutes  as Doyle played through Lloyd Isgrove, but the ref waved away the Town fans’ penalty protests when Isgrove was challenged by Aaron Martin and hit the deck.

Fifteen minutes in Town challenged again, as a cross from the left almost fell to Doyle on the edge of the six yard box, but he was thwarted by a wonderful sliding challenge by Dean Moxey to prevent him. However, Moxey’s clearance fell to Keshi Anderson on the edge of the box, whose shot was blocked by Aaron Martin on the line. Martin was brought in by Matt Taylor to replace Tom Parkes, who was suspended for three matches after an incident last weekend at Stevenage.

Five minutes later, Doyle edged closer to his debut goal as his bending shot cannoned of Lewis Ward’s post. Exeter themselves rarely challenged Luke McCormick’s goal in the first half; a tame long shot from Jake Taylor was the only time the Swindon keeper was threatened.

Swindon came out from the half time break looking dangerous, and a mistake by Aaron Martin forced Lewis Ward to turn the ball over the bar, leading to a string of Town corners. But City came back into the game throughout the second half, and the substitution of Lee Martin on for Nicky Ajose allowed them to gain a greater hold over the midfield, making it difficult for the visitors to take control of the game.

And the City dominance was rewarded, as Lee Martin found himself in space on the edge of the box, and his low drill towards the goal was turned in past McCormick by Matt Jay, who had replaced the injured Jake Taylor earlier in the game. Jay almost had a second a few minutes later, as his shot from a corner was unfortunately blocked by teammate Dean Moxey.

Swindon started to regain control of the game in the closing period, as they searched for an equaliser. Doyle thought he had opened his account with his new club, when he closed down Lewis Ward’s clearance and it ended up in the back of the Exeter net, but the referee decided that the ball had hit Doyle’s arm. However, it wasn’t much longer before he found the Swindon equaliser, calmly finishing a Zeki Fryers cross to mark his Swindon Town debut and send the 1,063 Swindon fans home with a point.

Overall, the game was closely contested, either team could’ve won it, but a draw was a fair result. After Argyle’s loss at the hands of Newport, Swindon take top spot, with Exeter in second on goal difference, both teams on seven points. During midweek, Exeter travel to lowly Oldham, who are yet to win a league game, while Swindon host Northampton, and both teams will be looking to extend their unbeaten starts to the season.

Man of the Match: Nicky Law

Law once again dominated the midfield, and his composure was evident throughout the game. Often finding himself surrounded by multiple Swindon players, Law was able to turn calmly and pick a pass, no matter how obscure it seemed. Law once again proved that he is too good for Exeter City, and too good for League Two.

Referee: Christopher Sarginson

Attendance: 5435 (1063)

Goals: Jay 72’, Doyle 88’

words Corey Baker, Exeter City fan