Two teams level on points in the League One table and hoping to close in on the playoff spots square off at St James' Park on Saturday and 11th-placed Exeter City play host to 12th-placed Charlton Athletic . The Grecians and the Addicks meet for the first time since March when they played out a 1-1 draw in this exact fixture, with Ben Purrington 's early opener cancelled out by an 87th-minute Cheick Diabate own goal. © Imago After accumulating 13 points during a five-game unbeaten run, Exeter have since suffered back-to-back defeats in League One against Reading and Huddersfield, losing 2-0 away against the latter a fortnight ago.
The Grecians returned to winning ways just three days later, albeit leaving it late to secure a 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy group stage, and they were then forced to come behind to beat non-league side Barnet in a frantic eight-goal affair at St James' Park in the FA Cup first round last weekend. Losing 3-2 with just five minutes plus stoppage time remaining, Exeter were seemingly on course to be knocked out in the FA Cup first round for the 49th time in their history - only Rochdale (50) have ever been knocked out at this stage on more occasions - but three late goals helped turn the tie on its head in dramatic fashion. Gary Caldwell admitted after the match that his side "rode their luck" against an "outstanding" Barnet side, but his players ultimately "had more ammunition" in the "gun fight" and have been rewarded with a se.
