Exeter City FA Cup tie will go ahead after fire

Repair work after a fire at St James Park is well under way

Exeter City say their ground will be ready for their FA Cup second round tie with Wycombe Wanderers next month.

Damage from a fire at St James Park last week has meant Saturday's League One game with Burton Albion has been postponed.

The fire, which affected the stadium's control room and medical room, meant key safety systems were taken down and work to repair the damage is ongoing.

"As disappointing as Saturday's game being postponed is, it does give us some breathing space before the FA Cup game so that we can guarantee that that will be on and there'll be no issues with that," Exeter City's general manager Clive Harrison told BBC Radio Devon.

"All the contractors and supporters and everybody have rallied behind us, and it's really been a fantastic effort."

The fire is estimated to have caused about £100,000 in damage, with the club crowdfunding to try and raise money to pay for repairs as they await any insurance pay out.

The loss of Saturday's game is another financial blow to the supporter-owned club, which has had to cut its budget this season after overspending in the last campaign.

Harrison is hopeful people will turn out to support Exeter as they aim to overcome their latest difficulty.

"It's really important from a financial aspect, but actually Gary (Caldwell, Exeter City manager) will tell you that packing the park really encourages the team," he said.

"We need to get through this round, you know what's waiting us in the third round potentially, and certainly the club needs that now."