Exeter shock Championship side Oxford to march into fourth round
League One side Exeter City reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 44 years by upsetting much-changed Championship side Oxford United.
The visitors struck first when Dane Scarlett slipped a sharp pass into the six-yard box to set up Matt Phillips for a smooth left-footed finish.
However, the U's could not hold on to their lead as Demetri Mitchell struck twice to help Exeter go in ahead at the break.
Vincent Harper then sealed the win for the home side with a low strike before the U's had substitute Tyler Goodrham sent off for an elbow to Jake Richards' face.
The visitors started swiftly after Louie Sibley, one of eight changes to the side that started at Preston last weekend, was given a first sight on goal in the opening minute but his left-footed shot was saved by Grecians keeper Joe Whitworth.
They then took the lead on the counter-attack from an Exeter corner. Siriki Dembele initiated the move which culminated in Scarlett's cross gliding past the home defence towards Phillips for the 14th-minute opener.
However, the lead lasted only eight minutes as Mitchell superbly volleyed in his first of the afternoon.
The equaliser helped the Grecians come alive, with Harper's looping header requiring intervention from Oxford keeper Matt Ingram to prevent a quick second.
Oxford United's Tyler Goodhram was shown a red card for violent conduct
Oxford regained their composure to halt Exeter's momentum but soon found themselves punished for a second time when Mitchell ran on to the ball in the box and struck it past a rooted Ingram.
A sluggish start to the second half by Oxford meant new signing Alex Matos was introduced for his debut as Gary Rowett made changes to try to prevent a third successive third-round loss for the U's.
But Oxford's task soon become more difficult as Harper smashed the ball across the penalty area and in to give Exeter a two-goal cushion.
The U's afternoon got worse still when substitute Goodrham was dismissed after his flinging arm connected with Grecians midfielder Richards.
The two sets of players exchanged fiery words at the final whistle, with Goodrham's red card meaning he is set to miss Oxford's key bottom-of-the-table Championship match at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.
'We spoke about creating history' - reaction
Vincent Harper celebrates after putting Exeter City 3-1 up against Oxford United
Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon:
"The opportunity in football like this doesn't come around often - we spoke in the summer as a group about the opportunity to create history.
"Really proud of the players, more for the way that we did it than actually doing it.
"I thought we were brilliant to go a goal down against a very good team that's a league above and stick to our principles, stick to our identity.
"Scored three brilliant goals, could have scored more. I thought we were absolutely brilliant."
Oxford United boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford:
"There were a lot of players in there that haven't played an awful lot of football so I'm disappointed.
"I just felt like how we reacted when the second goal went in, I'd expect us to react with a stronger mentality than that.
"We had a number who looked a bit off the intensity of the game and we've only had one clear week to get some of that intensity. I'd expect more individually, I'd expect more quality from one or two.
"It easy to come out and have a go at the players because we've lost to Exeter who are a league below us but the reality is they deserved to win the game. They were very good.
"I'm disappointed to lose Tyler. He's not a malicious player, I don't think it was a malicious act but the fact that he's put his arm back and caught his face, I can understand it."
