Exeter City turn the corner with a special few days at St James Park

Jack McMillan emerged as the matchwinner, scoring a late goal to give Exeter City a vital 1-0 League One victory over AFC Wimbledon at St James Park, the day after the Grecians were handed an incredible FA Cup Third Round tie at Manchester City.

Exeter began brightly, with Akeel Higgins dragging an early effort wide, but that proved to be one of the few chances in a scrappy first half dominated by solid defending from both teams.

The pattern continued after the break, with neither goalkeeper tested until the 67th minute, when Wimbledon broke forward and Omar Bugiel’s low strike was comfortably saved by Joe Whitworth.

Wimbledon grew into the game and Joe Lewis went close, drilling a shot narrowly wide, but it was Exeter who finally made the breakthrough in the 81st minute. Ilmari Niskanen did well on the right and delivered a low cross that found full-back McMillan, whose 18-yard effort slipped under goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and crossed the line.

It was a messy goal in a match short on quality, but an important three points for Exeter as they remain outside the relegation zone.

City head to Bolton Wanderers on the weekend.