Next Up: Exeter City vs Stockport County

City pushed their nearest rivals all the way in a pulsating Devon Derby in a draw that has done neither side any favours, especially as many of City’s relegation rivals picked up maximum points. With Rotherham and Northampton now down and Port Vale as good as gone, the battle for the final relegation spot looks like it may go down to the wire. City find themselves three points adrift of the dotted line, although Saturday’s opponents did City a favour on Wednesday night in beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 on Wednesday night. City supporters will be in the unusual position of cheering on their rivals on Saturday when they make the trip to SW London on Saturday. As far as City are concerned, Matt Taylor will be forced into one squad change as Ryan Rydel, who has made a number of appearances off the bench in a season hit by injuries, will be unable to face his parent club. With City’s form improving the likes of Ed James and Charlie Cummins are likely to have nailed down their place in the side.

Unlike City, Stockport haven’t had the luxury of a week between games, and Dave Challinor’s Hatters face a gruelling run of two games per week for the final weeks of the season leading into what is expected to be qualification for the playoffs. County fell at the final hurdle in the EFL Trophy last Sunday in going down 3-1 to Luton, and then faced two long away trips in the next six days firstly to London then to Devon. Challinor has had injury issues in defence lately with 20-goal forward Kyle Wootton deputising at the back on Wednesday night. Gambia international Adama Sidibeh, signed from St Johnstone in the January window, has made a flying start with eight goals in all competitions since heading back to England, while Oliver Norwood continues to pull the strings in midfield.

City’s record against Stockport since the sides resumed hostilities last season has been dreadful – P3 L3 with no goals for and five against. The reverse fixture at Edgeley Park in October was a hard-fought 1-0 win for the hosts thanks to a goal from Nathan Lowe, while a Wootton brace clinched the points at SJP last April. Those three wins have put Stockport ahead in league head to heads with 21 wins to City’s 19, nine matches having finished level.

The match officials for the game will be:-

Referee: Kirsty Dowle
Assistant Referees: James Tewson and David Middleton
Fourth Official: Thomas Holden

Just the one Exeter City game that Kirsty Dowle has taken charge, the 4-0 defeat away at Luton Town in the EFL Trophy.

Interview with Matt Taylor

Interview with Ed James