Ryan Bowman nets late Exeter winner after Macclesfield fightback

Posted Sunday, February 16, 2020 by PA

Exeter let slip a two-goal lead before Ryan Bowman scored a late winner to snatch a 3-2 victory at Macclesfield to keep their Sky Bet League Two title challenge on course.

The visitors had been firmly in control once Nicky Ajose and Pierce Sweeney had established a 2-0 lead by the 16th minute.

The unmarked Ajose was given the simplest of tap-ins when Randell Williams’ ball across the face of goal came to him a yard out.

And soon after, Sweeney produced a smart first-time finish from Brennan Dickenson’s cross.

The visitors should have been further ahead before a fluke goal after 40 minutes gave struggling Macclesfield a lifeline.

Ben Tollitt delivered a cross into the area and the Grecians’ Archie Collins fired his clearance against Connor Kirby, the rebound looping over goalkeeper Lewis Ward and into the net.

Despite playing into gale-force winds and torrential rain in the second half, Macclesfield were the far better side and levelled through captain Fiacre Kelleher, who thundered home a header from Tollitt’s corner after 63 minutes.

But, five minutes from time, an Exeter attack against the run of play ended with Williams’ cross being turned in by Bowman.