City win keeps them above the drop-zone

Late winner boosts survival hopes

Exeter City met AFC Wimbledon for the first time in ten years, arriving at St James Park buoyed by an emphatic 4–0 FA Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers. The visitors came into the contest ninth in League One, enjoying a strong start to life back in the third tier after securing promotion via the play-offs in May.

City began brightly, with Ilmari Niskanen causing early problems for the Dons’ defence. The Finn broke down the left and picked out Jack Aitchison in the centre, though the forward’s effort was inadvertently blocked by teammate Jayden Wareham. Niskanen remained at the heart of Exeter’s early threat, winning two corners that were both directed goalwards but comfortably held by goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.

Exeter earned their first free-kick in the 20th minute when Akeel Higgins was fouled by Isaac Asiimwe on the edge of the box. Pierce Sweeney swung in an inviting delivery, but Wimbledon cleared their lines, and the resulting corner came to nothing. On the half-hour mark, Wareham found space inside the area but dragged his shot wide, only to see the flag raised for offside.

As the half drew to a close, Wimbledon began to grow into the match. Marcus Browne embarked on a driving run from deep before seeing his powerful strike deflect over off Jack Fitzwater. Moments later, a teasing ball into the box from Riley Harbottle narrowly evaded the arriving Omar Bugiel.

Half-Time: Exeter City 0–0 AFC Wimbledon

Both sides reappeared unchanged, and Wimbledon continued where they had left off. Bugiel headed just wide in the 49th minute, before Alistair Smith’s ambitious effort from the edge of the area was deflected behind for a corner.

Exeter introduced Ethan Brierley on the hour mark, injecting much-needed attacking intent after a spell of sustained pressure from the visitors. However, Wimbledon continued to carve out the clearer openings. The best chance of the match so far fell to Bugiel in the 66th minute when he burst into the box one-on-one with Whitworth, only to shoot straight at the Exeter goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, Lewis flicked a dangerous free-kick inches wide as City looked increasingly stretched.

With 15 minutes remaining, the game opened up. Exeter began to venture forward in search of the spark that had served them well against Wycombe. Bugiel again threatened in the 78th minute, flashing a trivella cross across the face of goal with no teammate able to connect.

But it was City who capitalised. In the 80th minute, Niskanen produced excellent work down the right-hand side before delivering for Macmillan, who found himself unmarked and calmly slotted past Bishop to give Exeter a late 1–0 lead.

City nearly doubled their advantage five minutes later when Sonny Cox broke free, but Bishop reacted sharply to deny him. The closing moments were tense and scrappy, with Wimbledon pushing desperately for an equaliser. Yet it was Exeter who went closest again as Aitchison danced past two defenders, only for his low shot to be tipped wide.

Wimbledon’s final chance arrived in stoppage time when Lewis rose to meet a cross, but his header drifted narrowly over, sealing Exeter’s hard-fought victory.

Full-Time: Exeter City 1–0 AFC Wimbledon

Attendance: 5,579 (445 away)