Exeter boss Matt Taylor calls Northampton’s late leveller a ‘kick in the teeth’

Posted Sunday, November 18, 2018 by PA

Exeter manager Matt Taylor was disappointed to draw against Northampton as a 90th-minute Andy Williams header denied the hosts victory at St James Park.

After Jake Taylor had drilled City in front, Billy Waters scrappy goal levelled things up before Jayden Stockley regained Exeter’s lead on the stroke of half-time with a powerful header.

But with time running out, Williams glanced in a header from close range, although it appeared the final touch came off an Exeter player, to earn the Cobblers a share of the spoils.

Taylor said: “I thought it was a good game of football and I was pleased with our performance. For large parts today, we were where we needed to be in terms of our performance levels and the commitment and quality we showed.

“It’s a real kick in the teeth to concede a set-piece so late in the game but they put bodies forward and had bodies in the box. Generally we defended well in that second period and it might even have been an own goal which makes it even worse, but fair play to Northampton.

“We had opportunities. On another day, Jayden whacks that in when he had a chance and we go 3-1 up and it’s game over.

“I am slightly disappointed with the goal in the first half, we were well on top at that point and should really have gone in at 2-0. But we showed good character to bounce back when they did score and we managed to score again.

“Things aren’t quite going our way at the moment, but I was delighted with the performance and if we play like that every week, we will win far more games than we lose.”

Northampton boss Keith Curle was pleased his side rescued a point, which extends his impressive start to life in charge at Sixfields.

The Cobblers have lost just one of eight league matches Curle has been in charge of.

He said: “It was another battling performance, good attention to detail and the set-piece earned us a point.

“I was disappointed with the two goals in the first half, we looked a little bit tentative how we started the game and there was a lack of aggression. I thought we were half a yard short getting in some of the challenges.

“In the second half we were more aggressive, we had better movement up front, we retained possession and we put the ball into better areas.

“In the first half the difference between the two sides was their centre forward. He retained possession well, brought people into play well and was a focal point for their attack.

“We were growing in belief and we finished the game as the more aggressive team. We need to start games on the front foot and be more dominant.”