Exeter City vs Nottm Forest – Final Score, Lineups, Highlights

Exeter City pushed Premier League Nottingham Forest to the limit in a dramatic FA Cup Fourth Round replay at St James Park, forcing extra time and penalties before ultimately falling 4-2 in the shootout. The League One side twice came from behind to level the match at 2-2 despite playing the final minutes with ten men.

The February 11, 2025 encounter demonstrated the unpredictable nature of knockout football, with Josh Magennis scoring twice for the hosts before Ed Turns received a late red card. Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels was eventually substituted during the extended period, with the Premier League outfit requiring the lottery of spot-kicks to secure their place in the fifth round.

What was the final score in Exeter City vs Nottm Forest?

Key insights

• The match finished level after 120 minutes of play
• Nottingham Forest converted all four penalty attempts
• Exeter City missed two penalties during the shootout
• Josh Magennis scored both goals for the League One side
• Ibrahim Sangaré provided two assists for Forest
• Exeter played with ten men for the final minutes of normal time
• The Premier League side required extra time to overcome their lower-league opponents

Match facts

Where and how to watch Exeter City vs Nottm Forest

Broadcast and streaming coverage

The match was available through multiple platforms. ESPN provided live coverage of the fixture, while Sofascore offered live score updates and match tracking.

Kick-off timing

The replay kicked off at 20:00 UTC on February 11, 2025, at St James Park.

Lineups and key players for Exeter City vs Nottm Forest

Exeter City formation and personnel

Manager Gary Caldwell deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with Joseph Whitworth in goal. The back four comprised Jack McMillan, Angus MacDonald, Ed Turns, and Vincent Harper. Midfield duties fell to Ilmari Niskanen and Edward Francis, with Jake Richards, Ryan Trevitt, and Demetri Mitchell supporting striker Josh Magennis.

Nottingham Forest team selection

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side featured Matz Sels in goal before his substitution. The defense included Neco Williams and Álvaro Moreno, while Ibrahim Sangaré anchored midfield alongside Ryan Yates and Elliot Anderson. The attacking line saw Ramón Sosa, Taiwo Awoniyi, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Chris Wood lead the forward press, with Danilo and Nicolás Domínguez also featuring before withdrawals.

Impact performers

Magennis proved the primary threat for Exeter with his brace, while Sangaré dominated midfield distribution with two assists for Forest’s goals.

Head to head record and stats: Exeter City vs Nottm Forest

Historical meetings

Data regarding the all-time head-to-head record between these clubs remains limited in available databases. Livescores indicates this February 2025 FA Cup tie represents one of the few recent documented encounters between the two sides.

Recent form

Exeter entered the fixture with three wins and two defeats in their previous five matches, averaging 0.6 points per game according to form guides.

Match timeline: Key moments from Exeter City vs Nottm Forest

1. 5′ – Josh Magennis opens the scoring for Exeter City (1-0)
2. 15′ – Ramón Sosa equalizes for Nottingham Forest, assisted by Ibrahim Sangaré (1-1)
3. 37′ – Taiwo Awoniyi puts Forest ahead, assisted by Ibrahim Sangaré (1-2)
4. 50′ – Josh Magennis scores his second to level the match (2-2)
5. 71′-74′ – Substitution period: Caleb Watts and Ryan Trevitt enter for Exeter; Elliot Anderson and Ryan Yates enter for Forest
6. 87′ – Ed Turns (Exeter) receives a red card
7. 105’+1′ – Neco Williams foul during extra time
8. Full-time – Match ends 2-2 after extra time
9. Penalties – Nottingham Forest win 4-2 (Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Neco Williams score for Forest; Reece Cole saved for Exeter)

Confirmed facts and outstanding details

Tournament significance and underdog narrative

The fixture represented a classic FA Cup David versus Goliath scenario, with League One Exeter City pushing Premier League Nottingham Forest to the brink of elimination. The Devon club’s resilience forced the top-flight side into extra time and penalties despite the significant gulf in divisional status.

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Forest’s eventual progression kept alive their hopes of silverware, joining other Premier League survivors in the fifth round draw. For Exeter, the performance demonstrated their capacity to compete with elite opposition despite eventual elimination.

Attribution and match reports

The match details were compiled from official match reports and statistical providers. Exeter City FC supplied official fixture details and venue information.

Premier League side Nottingham Forest struggled against League One’s Exeter City, who scored a brace through Josh Magennis but couldn’t hold after a late red card.

— ESPN Match Report

Final result summary

Nottingham Forest advanced to the FA Cup Fifth Round following a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Exeter City at St James Park. The League One side forced extra time with a late comeback but ultimately fell short after Ed Turns’s dismissal left them with ten men. Current Account Switch Offers – Best UK Bonuses Up to £500

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