Exeter City fans witnessed a dramatic finish as Jayden Wareham’s late equaliser earned the Grecians a hard-fought 2-2 draw against in-form Huddersfield Town on January 4, 2026. In a match that had it all—early goals, relentless pressing, and some nail-biting moments—it was Wareham’s flicked finish just two minutes from time that stole the show and capped off an intense League One encounter at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Coming into the clash, Exeter City had momentum on their side. Fresh from back-to-back victories—first over Luton Town to kick off 2026 and then a gritty 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon courtesy of Wareham’s header—the Grecians had collected nine points from a possible twelve over the festive period. Pierce Sweeney’s stunning finish on New Year’s Day had further bolstered their spirits. Manager Gary Caldwell’s side, despite a punishing schedule that saw them on the road for the third time in just over a week, were brimming with confidence. "It will be a tough game," Caldwell admitted before the match. "At a big stadium, that’s the next step to make—to go to a big stadium and get a win. We are very close, and we will be ready when Sunday comes."
The challenge was formidable. Huddersfield Town, sitting fifth in the League One table, boasted a six-match unbeaten run and hadn’t tasted defeat at home since October. The Terriers were brimming with confidence and intent on keeping their record intact. Exeter, meanwhile, had climbed to 15th in the table but knew that the standings were tight—just two points separated them from Plymouth Argyle in 21st, and a single win could see them leapfrog several rivals. The pressure was on, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
The match began with a flurry of action. After 18 minutes, Huddersfield’s Marcus Harness broke the deadlock with a well-taken finish from just outside the area, notching his first league goal for the club. The home crowd erupted, sensing another statement win was on the cards. But Exeter responded almost instantly. Barely two minutes later, Reece Cole turned into space 20 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner. The equaliser was a thing of beauty and a testament to Exeter’s resilience—this Grecians side simply doesn’t know when to quit.
Huddersfield, though, weren’t finished. As halftime approached, Bojan Radulovic restored their lead. Cameron Ashia whipped a ball across the face of goal, and Radulovic was on hand at the back post to tap home from point-blank range. The Terriers went into the break with a 2-1 advantage, but the match was still finely poised.
Exeter City came out for the second half determined to claw their way back. They pressed high, created chances, and pushed Huddersfield onto the back foot. The Grecians’ efforts nearly paid off when Josh Feeney blocked another powerful effort from Cole, and Lee Nicholls, Huddersfield’s reliable goalkeeper, smothered a close-range shot from Wareham as he raced onto a stray ball. Time was running out, and it seemed as though Exeter’s luck had run dry.
But this team has made a habit of late drama. With just two minutes left on the clock, Ilmari Niskanen whipped in a cross from the right wing. Wareham, ever the poacher, found space in the box and flicked the ball into the bottom corner, sending the travelling fans into raptures. The equaliser was no less than Exeter deserved for their persistence and belief. According to PA Media, "Wareham flicked Ilmari Niskanen’s cross from the right wing into the bottom corner to earn his side a deserved point."
After the match, emotions ran high on both sides. Huddersfield’s Grant admitted, "About as angry as I’ve been," reflecting the frustration of seeing three points slip away so late. In contrast, Exeter’s Dan Green was full of praise for the supporters: "I’m delighted for the fans who travelled, they’ve put in such a huge effort!" That sentiment echoed throughout the away end, where the Grecians’ faithful celebrated a draw that felt almost like a win.
Gary Caldwell, ever the pragmatist, had warned of the physical toll the schedule was taking on his squad. With eight players having started all three games in just ten days, fatigue and injuries were mounting. Jake Doyle-Hayes, in particular, was described as "on the limit," and while Ed Turns was close to returning from a thigh injury, the likes of Ryan Rydel, Danny Andrew, Josh Magennis, and Kevin McDonald remained sidelined. Caldwell emphasized the need for recovery and preparation: "We know if we get it right and we have the desire and the humility and the quality at times, we can beat anyone in the league, but we also know how difficult an away game at Huddersfield."
The significance of the result can’t be overstated. Not only did Exeter halt Huddersfield’s home-winning streak, but they also proved they could mix it with the division’s best. The draw kept Exeter in 15th place, but with the table so congested, every point is crucial. As Caldwell put it, "I care about the performance and looking to the next game and I care about the time we are at in Exeter City’s history. We want to be as high as we can finish up in the league and show ourselves off. Yes, we have had difficult moments but this is a great moment and everyone has to play their part."
For Huddersfield, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. Their impressive unbeaten home run remains intact, but the dropped points could prove costly in the chase for promotion. Marcus Harness’s first league goal and Radulovic’s predatory instincts were positives, yet the inability to see out the win left the Terriers frustrated.
Looking forward, both sides have plenty to play for. Exeter, buoyed by their recent form and the fighting spirit on display, will aim to build on this result as they continue a daunting run of fixtures. The squad’s depth will be tested, and Caldwell will hope to get key players back to full fitness. Huddersfield, meanwhile, will look to regroup and maintain their push for a top-six finish, knowing that every game in this unpredictable League One season matters.
As the dust settles on a pulsating encounter, one thing is clear: Exeter City’s never-say-die attitude continues to win admirers, and their travelling supporters have every reason to believe that more memorable moments lie ahead this season.