Rotherham Crush Exeter City With Stunning Four Goal Win

Exeter City fans had been riding a wave of optimism in recent weeks, buoyed by the arrival of Ukrainian forward Timur Tuterov and a string of positive results that had them dreaming of a push toward the League One play-offs. But on January 31, 2026, the Grecians' St James Park fortress was breached in dramatic fashion, as Rotherham United stormed to a commanding 4-0 victory—handing Exeter their heaviest home defeat of the season and snapping the club’s impressive defensive record.

Before Rotherham’s visit, Exeter City had been on a roll at home, winning five consecutive matches at St James Park without conceding a single goal. Their defense, the second-best in League One, looked nearly impenetrable. The mood around Devon’s capital was upbeat, thanks in no small part to Tuterov’s immediate impact since joining on loan from Sunderland on January 16. The young striker had scored in each of his first two appearances, including a memorable 98th-minute debut goal against Stevenage, and Exeter had not tasted defeat in the league since Boxing Day.

But football, as ever, has a way of flipping the script. Rotherham United, who had been languishing near the relegation zone and searching for their first away league win since October, arrived with something to prove. The Millers, fresh off four straight road defeats, delivered a clinical and ruthless performance that stunned the home crowd and lifted them out of the relegation places.

The match began with Exeter showing their usual attacking intent. Jake Doyle-Hayes tested Rotherham keeper Cameron Dawson early on, firing straight at him from an Ethan Brierley free-kick. Jayden Wareham and Carlos Mendes Gomes also threatened, but neither could find the target. Rotherham, meanwhile, looked to soak up pressure and hit on the break.

Against the run of play, the visitors struck first. In the 28th minute, Joe Powell’s free-kick was turned in by Jamal Baptiste, giving Rotherham a lead that seemed to sap the energy from the home side. Exeter’s former striker Sam Nombe, now wearing Rotherham’s colors, nearly doubled the advantage early in the second half but was denied by a sharp save from Joe Whitworth.

Then, in a dizzying spell midway through the second period, Rotherham ran riot. On 71 minutes, Joe Rafferty lashed a shot into the roof of the net after a neat cut-back from Nombe. Just a minute later, Harry Gray took advantage of some slack Exeter defending to cut infield and fire a low shot beyond Whitworth from 25 yards. The home fans had barely caught their breath before another Rotherham counter saw Nombe cross for Shaun McWilliams, who tapped in from close range to make it 4-0 in the 75th minute.

It was a remarkable turnaround for Rotherham and a chastening experience for Exeter, who were left shell-shocked after conceding four goals at home for the first time this season. The defeat not only ended their unbeaten home run but also cast a shadow over the recent optimism that had swept through the club since Tuterov’s arrival.

Speaking after the match, Exeter manager Gary Caldwell was candid in his assessment: “They fully deserved the win.” His opposite number, Rob Hamshaw, couldn’t hide his delight, describing his team’s display as an “unbelievable performance.” The result was a much-needed shot in the arm for the Millers, who climbed out of the relegation zone and reminded the rest of League One that they’re far from finished.

For Exeter, the loss was a setback, but it shouldn’t erase the progress made in recent weeks. Since Tuterov joined from Sunderland, the Grecians had gone undefeated in the league, with two wins and a draw away at Reading. The Ukrainian youth international’s pace and finishing had given Exeter a new dimension in attack. In his debut against Stevenage, Tuterov came off the bench to score in the 98th minute, sealing a 3-0 win and sending the home fans into raptures. He followed that up with another goal in his second appearance, netting just four minutes after coming on in a 3-1 win at Port Vale.

“When the Ukraine youth international arrived at Exeter he promised pace, and we’ve certainly seen that in full effect,” noted one local observer, referencing Tuterov’s knack for getting on the end of low Jack Aitchison crosses and popping up at the far post to finish from close range. While he didn’t score against Rotherham, Tuterov had shown flashes of quality in the previous match at Reading, where a clever flick and a surging run nearly produced a dramatic late winner, only for him to be cynically brought down by Ryan Nyambe—who earned a yellow card for his trouble.

Tuterov’s journey to Exeter is seen as a crucial step in his development. At just 20 years old, he had already scored nine goals in 13 appearances for Sunderland’s youth team this season and had made the bench for the Black Cats’ Premier League squad on four occasions. Although he’s yet to make his top-flight debut, his loan spell in League One is offering invaluable experience and exposure to the rigors of senior football.

Sunderland clearly rate Tuterov highly, and Exeter’s fans have quickly taken to the pacy forward, who has brought energy and a cutting edge to their attack. “He could, in time, have the quality required to play in the Premier League,” one report suggested, highlighting his technical skills and eye for goal. The hope in Devon is that, despite this blip, Tuterov’s presence will help the Grecians bounce back and continue their climb up the table.

Meanwhile, the defeat raises questions about Exeter’s ability to handle setbacks and maintain their defensive solidity against high-flying opposition. With off-field concerns about the club’s limited finances—more a case of lacking spending power than being in debt—manager Gary Caldwell will need to rally his troops quickly to avoid losing momentum as the business end of the season approaches.

As for Rotherham, this emphatic win could be a turning point. After a dismal run of away form, the Millers showed grit, organization, and a clinical edge in front of goal. Their four different scorers—Baptiste, Rafferty, Gray, and McWilliams—underline the squad’s depth and determination to fight their way clear of relegation danger.

With the dust settling at St James Park, both teams will be looking ahead. Exeter, still 11th in League One, have the talent and spirit to regroup, especially with Tuterov in their ranks. Rotherham, now out of the drop zone, will hope this performance sparks a sustained revival. One thing’s for sure: League One’s promotion and relegation battles are heating up, and there’s plenty more drama to come.