Grecians gutted by controversial late penalty

Exeter City were denied an impressive New Year’s Day draw at high-flying Wycombe Wanderers after a controversial penalty decision.

Wanderers made the brighter start on a gloomy day at Adams Park, forcing an early save from Joe Whitworth, but the game settled into a somewhat tepid affair in the first period, neither side able to forge a clear-cut opening.

The second half was a very different story, as the drudge turned into drama.

Caleb Watts almost caught out the home ‘keeper with an audacious effort from 40 yards before Wycombe grabbed the lead midway through a half played at a far higher tempo, Luke Leahy’s free-kick taking a huge deflection as it seared past a stranded Whitworth.

City responded with spells of possession and pressure, finally getting their reward when Tristan Crama expertly timed his near-post run to nod home the leveller with just four minutes left on the clock.

The Grecians were moments away from a credible draw when the referee awarded the softest of penalties for what appeared to be a mere graze of an Exeter hand. City boss Gary Caldwell was understandably enraged by the decision and his mood darkened when Aaron Morley calmly slotted the winner from the spot.