X-Sport

City Hold Saints

By Joe Ridge

Exeter City earned a creditable draw yesterday against an in-form Southampton side to spoil Danny Seaborne's return to St. James's Park.

City went into the game with their now-familiar back three of Duffy, Taylor and Seaborne, though there were changes in midfield as Joe Burnell came in for his first start of the season to replace the injured Alex Russell and youngster Liam Sercombe came in for Frenchman Bertie Cozic.

Southampton sit in mid-table, though a ten-point deduction in place for going into administration means that their league position doesn't do justice to the quality within Alan Pardew's side

Despite playing on an appalling surface, the visitors were able to completely dominate the midfield in the first half, as Exeter looked well off the pace. The likes of Lambert, Lallana, Waigo and new signing Jason Puncheon all contributed as the visitors peppered Andy Marriott's goal.

The defence held firm for the most of the first half as veteran Rob Edwards and the consistently outstanding Matt Taylor threw themselves at everything the Saints had to offer. Though the Grecians' resolve was finally broken on 37 minutes when Lloyd James' cross was controlled beautifully by Adam Lallana before he cut inside Duffy to slot home.

Exeter were woefully inadequate in the first half, with the brightest element of their play being 'keeper Marriott's fluorescent pink top. Star man Ryan Harley was anonymous as the Saints' pressing game starved the City midfield of possession.

However, The Grecians emerged from the half-time break a completely different side. Tackles began to fly in in the midfield from the first whistle and a period of sustained pressure led to an equaliser that had looked highly unlikely 20 minutes earlier. A Scott Golbourne corner was met at the back post by a thumping header from Captain Taylor on 49 minutes which sent the Exeter support into raptures.

Paul Tisdale pushed Duffy further forward into a holding role when bringing the energetic Cozic on for Burnell. The narrow diamond stifled Southampton's creative players of possession and as the game drew towards a close the home side looked the more likely to snatch the winner.

Barry Corr fluffed his lines twice when presented with great opportunities in the box, and Cozic was unlucky as his fantastic turn and shot was thwarted by the post.

Despite a poor first half, Exeter once again showed that they are capable of competing with the best in League One. They have their shortcomings, which aren't helped by a terrible pitch, though they have fantastic workers on the pitch such as Adam Stansfield who will be determined to ensure that they stave off relegation.

I firmly believe Matt Taylor is one of the best players in League One and he is a complete and composed centre back who could comfortably compete at Championship level. After today's display Alan Pardew will be wondering if he bought the wrong man when he swooped for Seaborne.

Exeter (3-5-2): Marriott 7; Duffy 7, Taylor 8, Edwards 8; Tully 6, Sercombe 7, Burnell 6 (Cozic 7), Harley 6; Stansfield 7 (Logan 6), Corr 5.