Late Woodhouse strike earns Exeter City impressive point at Reading

Exeter City struck late to maintain their strong January form as Luca Woodhouse’s dramatic stoppage-time goal secured a 2–2 draw away at Reading.

City had led early through captain Pierce Sweeney before Will Keane equalised just before half-time. Paudie O’Connor then appeared to have won it for the hosts with 15 minutes remaining, only for Woodhouse to register his first goal for the club in emphatic fashion and snatch a deserved point for the Grecians.

Manager Gary Caldwell made three changes to the side that beat Port Vale, recalling Reece Cole, Jack McMillan and Sonny Cox in place of Jake Doyle-Hayes, Jack Aitchison and Carlos Mendes Gomes.

Exeter started brightly in Berkshire. An early free-kick from Cole released former Royal Jayden Wareham, whose cross was deflected behind for the game’s first corner. From that set-piece, City struck. Ethan Brierley’s deep delivery found Cole unmarked, and his shot across goal was diverted home by Sweeney for his second goal of the season.

Reading responded with purpose and were denied an equaliser when Joe Whitworth produced an excellent near-post save to keep out Jack Marriott from close range after Kamari Doyle’s cross.

City continued to play with patience and control. Liam Oakes curled an effort just over after a neat passing move, while Wareham glanced a header at goal that was comfortably gathered. Reading struggled to break down City’s disciplined shape, with Charlie Savage firing wide from distance.

Cole twice threatened from range as Exeter carried the greater menace, but their advantage was undone in first-half stoppage time when Doyle’s cross found Keane unmarked, and the striker volleyed home from inside the six-yard box.

Heavy rain made conditions difficult after the break and the second half took time to settle. Gary Caldwell freshened his side just before the hour, introducing Aitchison and Timur Tutierov, while McMillan was later forced off with a knock.

Reading edged ahead on 75 minutes when Lewis Wing’s free-kick was met by O’Connor, who volleyed past Whitworth from close range. Exeter responded with changes, but the hosts looked capable of extending their lead, only to be denied by two fine Whitworth saves from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Marriott.

With eleven minutes added on, Exeter found their moment. In the third minute of stoppage time, the ball dropped invitingly on the edge of the area for Woodhouse, who unleashed a ferocious strike that flew into the net and sparked jubilant scenes among the travelling supporters.

City pressed for a winner in the closing moments, but both sides ultimately settled for a point after an entertaining contest — one that further underlined Exeter City’s resilience and growing momentum on the road.