Exeter 1-2 Oxford: U's book place in play-offs after narrow win in Devon

Last updated on 27 April 2024.From the section League One43

Cameron Brannigan — Cameron Brannagan's penalty in the 2-1 win at Exeter helped Oxford earn a play-off place

Oxford secured a League One play-off place with a narrow victory over Exeter City at St James Park.

Mark Harris' early goal put the visitors in front before Cameron Brannagan further eased any nerves with a penalty five minutes before half-time.

Millenic Alli pulled a goal back for Exeter, who end the season in 13th place.

But Oxford held on to finish fifth and are set to face Peterborough in the play-offs, with Bolton taking on Barnsley, in the hunt for the final Championship promotion spot.

Final League One table

Harris gave the visitors the lead on 12 minutes after winning the ball high up the pitch, racing through on goal to slide the ball home low to the right of keeper Viljami Sinisalo.

Eight minutes later, Sinisalo saved Elliott Moore's header on the line, but with half-time looming, Brannagan doubled the lead from the penalty spot, finding the bottom left corner after Josh Murphy was brought down in the area.

But seven minutes after the break, Exeter halved the deficit through Alli, who powered home Tom Carroll's corner, and that changed the momentum.

Oxford began to retreat, knowing they needed to win, and Moore was required to make a crucial intervention after Alli drove down the left and flashed the ball across goal, but they held on to keep their Championship dream alive.

It looked like Oxford would meet Bolton in the play-off semi-finals but a late Northampton equaliser at Barnsley meant they finished above the South Yorkshire side in fifth place.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Exeter

Formation 3-4-1-2

1Sinisalo
4AimsonBooked at 45mins
26SweeneySubstituted forRichardsat 78'minutes
3Jules
17WattsSubstituted forRankineat 45'minutes
6Carroll
12ColeSubstituted forKiteat 70'minutes
14Niskanen
20HarrisBooked at 90mins
25Alli
19CoxSubstituted forAitchisonat 45'minutes

Substitutes

2Purrington
16Kite
21Rankine
24Fitzwater
29Aitchison
30MacDonald
47Richards

Oxford Utd

Formation 4-1-4-1

1CummingBooked at 89mins
15StevensBooked at 84mins
5Moore
3Brown
12Bennett
8Brannagan
30DaleSubstituted forBrowneat 71'minutes
20RodriguesSubstituted forMcEachranat 71'minutes
19GoodrhamSubstituted forMcGuaneat 89'minutes
23MurphySubstituted forLeighat 89'minutes
9M Harris

Substitutes

6McEachran
10Bodin
11Browne
13Eastwood
17Henry
18McGuane
22Leigh

Referee:: Tom Reeves
Attendance:: 8,123

Match Stats

Home TeamExeterAway TeamOxford Utd

Possession: Home60%; Away40%

Shots: Home10; Away15

Shots on Target: Home1; Away5

Corners: Home8; Away2

Fouls: Home20; Away9

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Exeter City 1, Oxford United 2.
90'+9'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Exeter City 1, Oxford United 2.

90'+8'
Post update
Jake Richards (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+8'
Post update
Foul by Marcus Browne (Oxford United).
90'+7'
Post update
Ilmari Niskanen (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+7'
Post update
Foul by Marcus Browne (Oxford United).
90'+6'
Post update
Foul by Will Aimson (Exeter City).
90'+6'
Post update
Marcus McGuane (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Jake Richards (Exeter City).
90'+4'
Post update
Finley Stevens (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'
Booking
Luke Harris (Exeter City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+3'
Post update
Foul by Luke Harris (Exeter City).
90'+3'
Post update
Greg Leigh (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'
Post update
Foul by Millenic Alli (Exeter City).
90'+2'
Post update
Finley Stevens (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+1'
Post update
Offside, Exeter City. Millenic Alli is caught offside.
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Luke Harris (Exeter City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Millenic Alli.
89'
Booking
Jamie Cumming (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.
89'
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Greg Leigh replaces Josh Murphy.
89'
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Marcus McGuane replaces Tyler Goodrham.

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43 comments

Comment posted by yellow_abroad, at 20:34 27 Apr
Not sure how we managed it - and don’t really care how we managed it, either. All that matters is, we’ve made it to the playoffs. Congrats to Des (especially in light of the stick he was getting a month or two ago) and to the team. Bring on Peterborough!
Reply posted by pmilly1975, at 01:00 28 Apr
pmilly1975 replied:
Bring on Oxford. Revenge is very much on the cards. Hope the leagues highesf scorers will show up this time.
Comment posted by grecian, at 10:13 28 Apr
Well done Oxford and praise to your fans for not invading the pitch despite probably wanting to ,wouldn't like to see any of you miss a potential Wembley trip by getting banned ,All the best to you in the Play offs .
Reply posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:30 28 Apr
Grecian 1964 replied:
Well done to Oxford, but to see the fans celebrate at the end you'd be forgiven for thinking they'd just won promotion. Anyway, good luck to you in the playoffs. If you are the underdogs that can sometimes be the best position to be in and can work to your advantage.
Comment posted by rupert dalrimple, at 21:20 27 Apr
Well played Oxford and good luck in the playoffs, as for us let's hope hope we can continue the decent form next season, already back in uttoxeter, see you next season 👍
Reply posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:27 28 Apr
Grecian 1964 replied:
Have a rest mate. You deserve it!!!!
Comment posted by Ian, at 20:18 27 Apr
Reasons for optimism, OUFC last 10 in the league WLWDWWWLDW - Maybe it didn't feel like it!?! but best in the play offs by someway!
Reply posted by Bella2020, at 12:22 28 Apr
Bella2020 replied:
I agree with the form book; a great finish to the league season. Oxford's defeat against Lincoln City took a play-off place out of their hands. Now the U's are back in charge of their own destiny. That's what will make all the difference against Peterborough!
Comment posted by Ian, at 19:39 27 Apr
Play offs! Well done all!!!!
Comment posted by Mart72, at 19:57 27 Apr
Watched on internet, great game and good support on both sides.
Must commend the TV commentator for Exeter - Patrick Baldwin...very insightful and articulate (from an Oxford fan).
Reply posted by Pattylibby, at 13:59 28 Apr
Pattylibby replied:
Pat Valdwin used to be a centre back for ECFC
Comment posted by Andy, at 23:57 27 Apr
Well done Oxford on reaching the play offs. Cracking attendance today for Exeter with nothing at stake. One position higher than last season and best position since 2011 thanks to one of the best managers Exeter have had in Paul Tisdale ALL credit goes to the players this year in difficult circumstances. Hope to go even better next season if one change is made
Reply posted by under a city red sky, at 11:54 28 Apr
under a city red sky replied:
Very subtle Andy and I'm on your wavelength here. Seems like that one change is not going to happen for a while and I'm thinking hard about whether I renew my season ticket
Comment posted by Ben K, at 20:22 27 Apr
Into the play-offs, clean the slate and start over. I know we're definitely lower quality than the other teams, but I also know, with our fans, we definitely have a massive chance- anything can happen in the play-offs! Let's use our secret weapon, the Yellow Army, and show those other teams around us what real passion and support for our club and city is! COYY
Reply posted by SirJoe, at 20:57 27 Apr
SirJoe replied:
Very odd comment that we're lower quality than the other teams. We beat Posh 5-0 the other week, Barnsley have been on the slide for ages. And long gone are the days when our fans were a secret weapon, ever since we left the Manor. Hopefully the new stadium will improve things on that front. We have a team full of talent that an excellent manager has made click and we have a great chance.
Comment posted by 110 goals in 75, at 21:44 27 Apr
You took your chance imps blew it !
Reply posted by The P B Nemesis, at 12:41 28 Apr
The P B Nemesis replied:
Imps didnt blow it - the champions blew them away ! 😁
Comment posted by nivram yolef, at 09:51 28 Apr
Well done to Portsmouth for not cruising on last day of season especially after midweek home defeat. Mousinho's team selection and team talk would have been interesting.

Absolutely first class professionals.
Reply posted by The P B Nemesis, at 12:38 28 Apr
The P B Nemesis replied:
We made some changes but always knew Mous would make sure the team would help OUFC if at all possible
Glad Oxford made it - my personal choice to win the playoffs
Be great to see Evatt and Funguson looking fed up
It would make me chuckle !
Best of luck from a Pompey fan
Comment posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:24 28 Apr
A disappointing end to an unbeaten run of 9 games. City very poor in the first half. Sweeney did not have one of his better days. Much improved in the second half, but we didn't quite manage to overturn the 2 goal deficit as we had done in previous games. It will be interesting to see who Caldwell keeps and who he lets go.
Comment posted by 3robert3, at 01:29 28 Apr
Great stuff Oxford.
Comment posted by TheGaryGangPeckham, at 20:11 27 Apr
Good luck you O's.
Reply posted by abingdonjon, at 21:36 27 Apr
abingdonjon replied:
WTF have Leyton Orient got to do with it you Lemon. Oxford are the U’s
Comment posted by Peter Devonshire, at 19:40 27 Apr
Nice win
On to play offs
Comment posted by Mrs Trellis, at 19:51 27 Apr
Well done Yellows.
Important like Chris Wilder....draw a line...season over...plan afresh....
Comment posted by agameoftwohalves, at 22:21 27 Apr
Arley was fantastic there and deserved everything he got.
Comment posted by Martha hicks , at 12:48 28 Apr
Great result Yellows!!! Hope we can carry on this momentum for 3 games, then who knows?? Let's back the boys
Comment posted by Derek , at 07:21 28 Apr
Another great Oxford Team performance and what we deserve after this season

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Portsmouth	46	28	13	5	78	41	37	97
2	Derby	46	28	8	10	78	37	41	92

3	Bolton	46	25	12	9	86	51	35	87
4	Peterborough	46	25	9	12	89	61	28	84
5	Oxford Utd	46	22	11	13	79	56	23	77
6	Barnsley	46	21	13	12	82	64	18	76

7	Lincoln City	46	20	14	12	65	40	25	74
8	Blackpool	46	21	10	15	65	48	17	73
9	Stevenage	46	19	14	13	57	46	11	71
10	Wycombe	46	17	14	15	60	55	5	65
11	Leyton Orient	46	18	11	17	53	55	-2	65
12	Wigan	46	20	10	16	63	56	7	62
13	Exeter	46	17	10	19	46	61	-15	61
14	Northampton	46	17	9	20	57	66	-9	60
15	Bristol Rovers	46	16	9	21	52	68	-16	57
16	Charlton	46	11	20	15	64	65	-1	53
17	Reading	46	16	11	19	68	70	-2	53
18	Cambridge	46	12	12	22	39	61	-22	48
19	Shrewsbury	46	13	9	24	35	67	-32	48
20	Burton	46	12	10	24	39	67	-28	46

21	Cheltenham	46	12	8	26	41	65	-24	44
22	Fleetwood	46	10	13	23	49	72	-23	43
23	Port Vale	46	10	11	25	41	74	-33	41
24	Carlisle	46	7	9	30	41	81	-40	30

Line-ups

Exeter

Substitutes

Oxford Utd

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Comments

Join the conversation

Comment posted by yellow_abroad, at 20:34 27 Apryellow_abroad

Reply posted by pmilly1975, at 01:00 28 Aprpmilly1975

Comment posted by grecian, at 10:13 28 Aprgrecian

Reply posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:30 28 AprGrecian 1964

Comment posted by rupert dalrimple, at 21:20 27 Aprrupert dalrimple

Reply posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:27 28 AprGrecian 1964

Comment posted by Ian, at 20:18 27 AprIan

Reply posted by Bella2020, at 12:22 28 AprBella2020

Comment posted by Ian, at 19:39 27 AprIan

Comment posted by Mart72, at 19:57 27 AprMart72

Reply posted by Pattylibby, at 13:59 28 AprPattylibby

Comment posted by Andy, at 23:57 27 AprAndy

Reply posted by under a city red sky, at 11:54 28 Aprunder a city red sky

Comment posted by Ben K, at 20:22 27 AprBen K

Reply posted by SirJoe, at 20:57 27 AprSirJoe

Comment posted by 110 goals in 75, at 21:44 27 Apr110 goals in 75

Reply posted by The P B Nemesis, at 12:41 28 AprThe P B Nemesis

Comment posted by nivram yolef, at 09:51 28 Aprnivram yolef

Reply posted by The P B Nemesis, at 12:38 28 AprThe P B Nemesis

Comment posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:24 28 AprGrecian 1964

Comment posted by 3robert3, at 01:29 28 Apr3robert3

Comment posted by TheGaryGangPeckham, at 20:11 27 AprTheGaryGangPeckham

Reply posted by abingdonjon, at 21:36 27 Aprabingdonjon

Comment posted by Peter Devonshire, at 19:40 27 AprPeter Devonshire

Comment posted by Mrs Trellis, at 19:51 27 AprMrs Trellis

Comment posted by agameoftwohalves, at 22:21 27 Apragameoftwohalves

Comment posted by Martha hicks , at 12:48 28 AprMartha hicks

Comment posted by Derek , at 07:21 28 AprDerek

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Comment posted by yellow_abroad, at 20:34 27 Apr

Reply posted by pmilly1975, at 01:00 28 Apr

Comment posted by grecian, at 10:13 28 Apr

Reply posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:30 28 Apr

Comment posted by rupert dalrimple, at 21:20 27 Apr

Reply posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:27 28 Apr

Comment posted by Ian, at 20:18 27 Apr

Reply posted by Bella2020, at 12:22 28 Apr

Comment posted by Ian, at 19:39 27 Apr

Comment posted by Mart72, at 19:57 27 Apr

Reply posted by Pattylibby, at 13:59 28 Apr

Comment posted by Andy, at 23:57 27 Apr

Reply posted by under a city red sky, at 11:54 28 Apr

Comment posted by Ben K, at 20:22 27 Apr

Reply posted by SirJoe, at 20:57 27 Apr

Comment posted by 110 goals in 75, at 21:44 27 Apr

Reply posted by The P B Nemesis, at 12:41 28 Apr

Comment posted by nivram yolef, at 09:51 28 Apr

Reply posted by The P B Nemesis, at 12:38 28 Apr

Comment posted by Grecian 1964, at 14:24 28 Apr

Comment posted by 3robert3, at 01:29 28 Apr

Comment posted by TheGaryGangPeckham, at 20:11 27 Apr

Reply posted by abingdonjon, at 21:36 27 Apr

Comment posted by Peter Devonshire, at 19:40 27 Apr

Comment posted by Mrs Trellis, at 19:51 27 Apr

Comment posted by agameoftwohalves, at 22:21 27 Apr

Comment posted by Martha hicks , at 12:48 28 Apr

Comment posted by Derek , at 07:21 28 Apr