Adam's late goal rescues point

ADAM Stansfield came off the bench to salvage a late point for 10-man Exeter City at St James's Park last night.

The second-half substitute was handed a huge stroke of luck when his cross sailed over Millwall keeper David Forde and went in off the far post.

City were on course for only their second league defeat at home this season when David Martin smashed home a first-half penalty.

And the home side's hopes of getting back into the game were dealt a blow when Steve Tully was dismissed for a second yellow card six minutes after the interval.

But City never know when they are beaten and Richard Duffy's quick throw paved the way for Stansfield's goal, minutes from time.

Despite hinting at potential changes, City boss Paul Tisdale kept faith with the same team that won 3-1 at Stockport on Saturday.

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett responded to Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers by making two changes, Andy Frampton coming in for the injured Tony Craig and Martin replacing Jason Price in an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

Playing into a stiff breeze, City engineered the first chance when Alex Russell's free-kick fell invitingly at the feet of Marcus Stewart.

The veteran striker failed to get a proper connection on the ball and it bounced harmlessly into the arms of Forde.

The difficult conditions ensured neither side found any passing rhythm in the early exchanges.

Millwall threatened after seven minutes when the ball was swept out to Martin and his low drive deflected off Steve Tully and went out for a corner.

Barry Corr squandered a decent chance on 12 minutes, heading straight at Forde after Russell picked him out with a free-kick.

And Stewart headed narrowly wide from Scott Golbourne's cross.

Sandwiched between those two chances, Tully received a yellow card for a late lunge on Martin.

City continued to pose the greater threat and Ryan Harley, who has scored two magnificent free-kicks in the last two away games, tested Forde with a low drive.

But Millwall swept up the other end to score with their first meaningful attack.

Martin powered into the box, Cozic was a fraction too late with his tackle and referee Simon Hooper was in a good position to point to the penalty spot. Martin drilled the spot-kick straight down the middle.

Fleetwood almost intercepted a short back pass from Marc Laird, only for Forde to clear. Tully came to City's rescue just past the half-hour mark when he blocked Jimmy Abdou's goal-bound shot.

Fleetwood, playing on the shoulder of Millwall centre halves Darren Ward and Paul Robinson, came close to breaking the offside trap on a couple of occasions.

But the striker's frustrations boiled over when he became embroiled in a dust-up off the ball with Martin, which resulted in both players receiving yellow cards.

Harley had a chance to test Forde at the start of the second half after Golbourne was brought down by Laird just outside the box. But the City midfielder's free-kick sailed inches over the bar.

Tully was dismissed after he ploughed into Andy Frampton right in front of the dugouts to leave the defender writhing in agony and referee Hooper with little option but to pull out the red card.

The dismissal forced Tisdale to change to a 3-3-3 formation.

Tisdale threw on Stansfield and Richard Logan in the 68th minute but it was the visitors who looked more likely to stretch their lead and Morison put a header just wide and then rattled the post with a shot.

City came close when Russell's corner evaded everyone in the six-yard box before Laird cleared off the line.

And Millwall had a double let-off when Russell's corner was tipped over the bar by Forde before the keeper smothered Logan's shot.

But Stansfield salvaged a share of the spoils for the Grecians when his cross nestled in the back of the net.

Watch interviews with Adam Stansfield and Paul Tisdale at www.kellowsbootlaces.co.uk