Exeter City frustration after decisions go against them in defeat

“We had done all the things right, and then started getting bored of doing the good things, so we apologise to the fans for the result.”

Exeter City striker James Scott said the Grecians were sorry for letting their lead away to Charlton Athletic slip. City went 1-0 up away to the Addicks on Tuesday night, but were beaten 4-1 at the Valley, for a third straight league defeat.

Scott fired Exeter into the lead midway through the first half for a third goal of the season. But on the stroke of half-time, Charlton levelled when Corey Blackett-Taylor reacted quickest to poke home after Chuks Aneke’s header came back off the crossbar.

 

Charlton then took the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half. Aneke’s penalty was saved by Vil Sinisalo but Alfie May tucked home the rebound. Myles Leaburn and then a second from May late on ended the clash as a contest, especially after Will Aimson was given a straight red card for a lunge – a decision that looks more questionable the more you see a replay.

We started well and me back on the scoresheet was good,” Scott said. “We had done all the things right, and then started getting bored of doing the good things, so we apologise to the fans for the result. We would have liked to have won and can’t thank them enough.” On the red card, he added: “Will has not touched him and so it is frustrating.”

 

The loss saw City taste defeat for the fourth time in their last five in League One and drop down to 10th – in what was a 13 ^th defeat in the last 16 visits to the Valley. The win for the hosts saw them rise to 14th with a third straight home win and extended the unbeaten run to five.