Exeter City held as relegation fears deepen despite ending Orient’s winning run

Struggling Exeter City slipped into the League One relegation zone despite halting Leyton Orient’s four-game winning streak with a tense 0-0 draw at St James Park.

The match was briefly suspended in the 34th minute after reports of discriminatory comments from the away end prompted a warning over the public address system, casting a shadow over an otherwise competitive encounter.

Before the interruption, Exeter came closest to breaking the deadlock when Jayden Wareham headed against the post from a tight angle following a well-worked move.

After the restart, Orient began to assert themselves, with Tyreeq Bakinson seeing a goal ruled out for offside 10 minutes into the second half. Dom Ballard, the visitors’ leading scorer, also threatened, while Exeter substitute Akeel Higgins forced a strong save as both sides searched in vain for a winner.

The point ended Exeter’s five-game losing run but proved insufficient to lift them out of the bottom four. A late victory for Blackpool over Burton Albion saw the Grecians drop into the final relegation spot, now two points adrift—adding extra weight to their upcoming clash on Good Friday.

Orient, meanwhile, remain 17th in the table, holding a six-point cushion above the relegation zone.

Early in the game, Exeter debutant goalkeeper Jack Bycroft—starting in place of the injured Joe Whitworth—was called into action to deny Theo Archibald.

Exeter showed flashes of attacking quality, with Ilmari Niskanen and Reece Cole both going close before the break, the latter drawing an excellent save from Orient goalkeeper Will Dennis.

At the other end, a defensive slip allowed Ballard a clear opportunity, but he lifted his effort over the bar.

The second half saw Orient push harder, with Bakinson denied twice and Ballard growing increasingly influential. However, Dennis was again called upon late on to preserve a point, producing a crucial save from Higgins.

Despite their resilience, Exeter’s afternoon ended in disappointment as news of Blackpool’s late winner confirmed their slide into the relegation zone—leaving their survival hopes hanging in the balance.