Exeter manager Matt Taylor felt his side were outstanding in their 1-1 draw with Barnet – and deserved more for their efforts against League Two’s pre-match leaders.
Exeter dominated for long spells, but fell behind against the run of play on the hour mark when Idris Kanu followed up to score after Kabongo Tshimanga’s shot had been saved by Jack Bycroft.
But the lead lasted just eight minutes as Reece Cole finished a cut-back from Gwion Edwards to earn the Grecians a deserved point.
“I thought we were outstanding,” said Taylor, who confirmed the permanent signing of veteran Barrow striker Danny Rose and the season-long loan of young Millwall frontman Ajay Matthews.
“I think we were outstanding in terms of the fundamentals of the game and the physical side of the game against an incredibly dominant team that put you on the back foot. The way in which this group stood up to that – I can’t speak highly enough of them.
“We can still be better on the ball and be tidier with our passing options, but the stress Barnet put you under as a team and individually within that is immense. The way that group found a way through that and created the best chances of the game – and found a way to get back in the game after going a goal behind – was fantastic.
“I was delighted with our performance tonight and we will get better in certain moments of the game but in terms of the platform, the core of what Exeter City needs to look like was on show tonight.
“It could have been even better as we had a perfectly good goal chalked off at the end there, but I am absolutely delighted with the group.”
Barnet boss Dean Brennan was also occupied with transfer activity before the 11pm deadline straight after the game and confirmed the arrival of 20-year-old striker Damola Ajayi on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham.
“Damola is a really exciting young player who gives us pace, energy and versatility at the top end of the pitch,” he said. “He has been developed within an excellent academy at Tottenham and has already gained valuable experience in the EFL.
“We believe there is a lot more to come from him and we are delighted that he has chosen Barnet for the next stage of his career.”
Both teams had goals disallowed for offside – Danny Collinge for Barnet in the early stages and Edwards for Exeter late on.
Brennan added: “We were much better in the second half and to get 1-0 up in the time we did, and not make it 2-0 – we had two great chances to make it two – has cost us today.
“I am respectful of a point, I always am, this is a difficult place to come and the supporters get right behind them.
“It’s the third time we have had a goal disallowed for offside. We had an apology after the first one in the Carabao Cup, an apology after the second one last week and we’ll get an apology again because I have seen it back and he is onside. We should have a goal in the sixth minute – it’s a blatant goal.”
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