City cup tie goes to penalties

A late equaliser and penalty shootout defeat meant that it was Walsall who progressed in the Carabao Cup, knocking City out in the first round. 

City went ahead five minutes before the break after a brilliant move in midfield. Pedro Borges controlled the ball and laid it off to Caleb Watts, who bombed down the right-hand side before fizzing the ball into the box for Millenic Alli to flick over the goalkeeper.

Walsall piled on the pressure in the second half though, and while Joe Whitworth kept City ahead with a superb penalty save, he could do nothing to stop the Saddlers’ late equaliser which, in the absence of extra time, took the cup match to penalties.

Ilmari Niskanen saw his penalty saved while Alli’s struck the post, and Walsall only missed one to put their name in the hat for the second round draw.

Following the opening day victory against Rotherham, Gary Caldwell made six changes to his starting lineup, the most notable inclusion being 17-year-old Liam Oakes.

The academy player wasn’t even in Exeter on Saturday, instead playing for the under-18s at Gillingham. Pedro Borges also came into the side for his first EFL Cup start, while Charlie Cummins was named on the bench for the first time. 

For the full match report click here.