Exeter City striker Josh Magennis ended his long wait for a goal by drawing his side level against Burton Albion last night.
The 35-year-old last bagged for the Grecians in a defeat at Stevenage in September, though his Christmas period was disrupted by an ankle injury.
But the Northern Irish international came off the bench to combine with in-form Jayden Wareham to level the scores against the Brewers.
Frustrating Night Infront Of Goal
Magennis has started two of the last three games, but was left on the bench in Matt Taylor’s first match back at St James Park. He was only able to watch on as Exeter found several ways to look to have broken the deadlock, only to be denied. Luca Woodhouse thought he had the home side ahead, only to see the linesman’s flag raised. The same bad fortune happened to Timur Tutierov, who also struck the woodwork in the opening period.
Carlos Mendes Gomes missed a gilt-edged opportunity before Udoka Godwin-Malife inevitably gave the East Staffordshire side the breakthrough. But Magennis, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, headed Exeter on level terms. It wasn’t quite the start Taylor was hoping for, after he revealed he is unlikely to be a long-term appointment for the Grecians.
Speaking after last night’s stalemate, Magennis was happy with his side’s character to come from behind to gain a point, as well as putting that wait for a goal behind him.
“I thought the game was pretty open. I think it’s just a testament to the professionalism and how we are as a group that we were able to regroup, not go under when we conceded, and come back to get a point out of the game.
“Listen, the only way to answer questions is scoring goals. So I’ve had to bide my time and my chances when I’ve played, had a couple of injuries which has been a bit frustrating, but you’ve just got to keep going and just got to keep believing in yourself. It’s obviously nice when you get a strike partnership.”
Shaping The League One Relegation Battle
The real winners from this result yesterday evening were every other side at the bottom of League One. A point apiece keeps Burton and Exeter down at the wrong end of the third-tier standings, with a four and six-point gap above the bottom four, respectively. Rotherham United and Mansfield Town played out a goalless draw, a result which edges the Millers a point closer to moving out of the relegation zone.
Mansfield are still in danger, separating the two teams who played at St James Park last night. If Taylor can get Wareham and Magennis combining during the run-in, then the Grecians should be confident of ensuring that they remain in the division next season.
