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Exeter fans in high spirits despite FA Cup loss

Alex Green
BBC News, South West
PA Media Exeter City fans during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at St James Park, Exeter. Almost the entire image is made up of hundreds of fans stood in the stands at the groundPA Media
Thousands of fans cheered the players on from the Big Bank at St James Park

Despite being knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest, Exeter City fans were in high spirits on Tuesday night.

The League One side held Nottingham Forest, of the Premier League, to a 2-2 draw after extra time, despite having a player sent off in the 87th minute.

The match went to penalties, with the Premier League side winning 4-2 and proceeding to the next round.

Former Exeter City player Martyn Rogers said he was disappointed the side lost on penalties, but said it was the "harsh reality" of cup football.

'Stepping stone'

Former Exeter City chairman Denise Watts said it was a "nail-biting" finish.

She said: "I always worry about penalties, I spent penalties behind a blanket because I couldn't bear to watch.

"The players just stepped up to the game on a world stage, absolutely fantastic."

Ms Watts said when fans were leaving St James Park on Tuesday night, it did not feel as though Exeter City had lost the game.

"Walking out of the ground, they were all saying to me it doesn't feel like we've lost because we've won in so many other ways," she added.

Martyn Rogers played for Exeter City in the early 1980s, including the side's 1981 FA Cup run.

He said: "[I'm] so disappointed to go out on penalties, but that's the harsh reality of cup football and hopefully now, they can use this as a sort of a stepping stone to get some better results in the league."

PA Media Exeter City's players celebrate scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at St James Park, Exeter. Three players with two more just visble in the background are wearing red and white striped long sleeve football jerseys. Two of the men appear to be jumping or on the back of the third. They both have their mouths open as if they are happily shouting or cheering. PA Media
Exeter's captain Josh Magennis scored twice against Nottingham Forest

One fan' leaving St James Park said: "It was one of the best performances that I've seen in some time.

"I'm just really happy with the way the team played, and I think we should be really proud of ourselves and hopefully we can put together a string of results in the league as well."

Another said it was a "remarkable achievement" for Exeter City to get as far as they did.

"It looked like it might be our day, but sadly not to be," they said.

"I'm incredibly proud of the team, and I'm delighted to have come - I think we showed League One football is a pretty good standard."

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