Exeter City got back to winning ways as they made it three successive wins at Oakwell over Barnsley. Josh Magennis’ goal in the final ten minutes ensured the Grecians came away with all three points and moved closer to a fourth straight season in League One with a 2-1 win.
Ryan Trevitt’s first goal of his second spell with the Grecians put them ahead with 14 minutes on the clock, bundling the ball home from close range after two efforts were blocked. Ed Turns thought he’d made it two on the stroke of half-time, only to see his header ruled out for a dubious foul in the build-up.
Stephen Humphrys just before the hour levelled it up for the Tykes on the break, running half the length of the field after a blocked shot rebounded kindly for him, before finishing nicely. Only a brilliant save denied him putting Barnsley ahead moments later.
That was crucial as with ten minutes to go, Josh Magennis won it for Exeter. The skipper robbed Mael de Gevigney before smashing home the finish at the near post, against the run of play, to the City fans’ delight.
It is now just one defeat in eight for City who rise to 15th in the League One table and on 48 points, albeit with Burton Albion’s win, the gap to the bottom four stays at nine points. Barnsley’s slim play-off hopes are fading as they are winless in five as they stayed 11th.
Goal celebrations for Josh Magennis of Exeter City during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
Following the 2-0 defeat to Wrexham on Saturday, which was a first loss in seven, Gary Caldwell made three changes to his Exeter City side. In came Ilmari Niskanen, Ed Francis and Caleb Watts, with Ben Purrington and Tony Yogane dropping to the bench, and Joel Colwill not in the 18. Andrew Oluwabori was on the bench after recovering from the injury which had ruled him out of the weekend’s defeat.
The Grecians had a golden chance to take the lead in the third minutes. Francis swung in a corner, it was only half cleared to Trevitt 12 yards out, but arriving onto it on his left foot, the Brentford loanee blazed the volley over the bar. On target, and it probably would have been a goal.
Humphrys had the hosts’ first chance, but he fired into the side netting. City created another opportunity on the break, but Niskanen’s angled effort was blocked. Another chance came when Pat Jones danced into the area, but Kieren Flavell kept it out.
But seconds later, Exeter had the lead. Francis slipped the ball into the box when Trevitt ran onto it. His shot was blocked, as was Watts’ follow-up, but the ball broke back to Trevitt six yards out, who tapped into the net for his first goal of the season, and was no less than what City deserved for their start.
Goal celebrations for Ryan Trevitt of Exeter City during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
Humphrys forced Joe Whitworth into a smart low save as the Tykes looked to respond to going behind. Davis Keiller-Dunn nearly got on the end of a cross from Fabio Jalo, but Jack McMillan was alive to react to the danger first. The Portuguese teenager then lashed a powerful strike which Whitworth held onto. At the other end, Niskanen picked out Watts with a cross, but his effort was blocked.
And in the 44th minute, City thought they had doubled their lead. Alex Hartridge launched a long throw into the box, Magennis flicked it on, and Turns’ header towards goal crept over the line. It looked like it was 2-0, but referee Will Finnie, having consulted with his assistant, ruled it out from a foul by Watts on Jon Russell in the build-up. It looked harsh, as the pair were pulling each other’s shirts. City though were 1-0 up at half-time.
Ed Turns of Exeter City looks dejected during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
Both managers made changes at the bench, with Caldwell bringing on Yogane for Jones, while Conor Hourihane made a double sub for Barnsley, with Max Watters and Luca Connell thrown on. Moments into the half, Whitworth needed treatment for what seemed to be a hamstring injury, and a genuine one, although he carried on. Magennis was denied by the Barnsley goalkeeper from close range, but the offside flag had already been raised.
The Grecians came close to a second on the break when Yogane’s deflected effort looped over Flavell, but crept agonizingly wide, with Niskanen just unable to get a touch on it. But from the resulting corner, there was a goal, but for Barnsley.
The corner was half cleared to Francis and his 25 yard shot was blocked by Russell. But the ball rebounded out to Humphrys and with City having committed men forward, he had space to burst into, and from the edge of the box, drilled home a strike into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Sonny Cox replaced Watts with City’s next change. But Barnsley should have gone ahead shortly after. Keiller-Dunn was picked out with a cross and his shot was blocked. It broke to Humphrys who had to score, but Whitworth made himself big and did enough to turn it behind for a corner. Russell then saw a poked effort saved as the hosts were on top. Vincent Harper replaced Niskanen.
Marc Roberts was next to come close as he hooked an effort from a corner towards goal which the Crystal Palace loanee did well to get down to. But the Grecians restored their lead with ten minutes to go against the run of play. Magennis was lightning fast to rob de Gevigney on the edge of his own area. The skipper broke into the box and smashed home the effort at the near post to make it 2-1 with a 12th of the season.
Goal celebrations for Josh Magennis of Exeter City during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
Six minutes of stoppage-time were added as City looked to hold their lead. In the second of them, Kieller-Dunn snatched a shot which span over the bar. That was the chance, as Exeter claimed only a second away win of 2025, but a vital and deserved one.
Exeter City are back in action on Saturday when they host Stockport County at St James Park.
Exeter City: Joe Whitworth, Ed Turns, Angus MacDonald, Alex Hartridge, Jack McMillan, Ryan Trevitt (Ben Purrington, 90), Ed Francis, Ilmari Niskanen (Vincent Harper, 70), Caleb Watts (Sonny Cox, 59), Pat Jones (Tony Yogane, 45), Josh Magennis
Subs: Reece Cole, Kevin McDonald, Andrew Oluwabori
Booking: Watts