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Exeter keeper scores 96th minute equaliser against Stockport to ensure Cardiff go up

There were dramatic scenes after Exeter keeper Jack Bycroft scores a 96th minute equaliser against Stockport to ensure Cardiff go up.

The Bluebirds are back in the second tier at the first time of asking with a 3-1 win over Reading, and helped by a 3-3 draw at Exeter, who also boost their survival hopes.

They move within two points of safety after their late draw and AFC Wimbledon’s 3-1 loss at home to Plymouth.

Meanwhile for already promoted Lincoln, they now need just one more point to win the league title.

“It means the world,” head coach Brian Barry-Murphy told Sky Sports News.

“I’ve been blessed to work with a group of players who have incredible ambition. At times they played football from the Gods so I’m really grateful.

“Because of what the players have done and how well they’ve played, we tend to forget where we’ve come from.

“It’s a very special club. I believed these players could do it and I think the best thing is that we’ve only seen the start of it.”

Cardiff’s Brian Barry-Murphy said, per Wales Online: “It’s a huge relief, obviously.

“It’s been an incredible day. To see our supporters, the extraordinary scenes towards the end of the game… we tried to stay focused on the game, but it was difficult!

“Probably in the last four or five minutes it was one that we could enjoy.”

On Cardiff fans celebrating Exeter keeper scoring making it impossible to know the wider picture: “I think if you were on the outside looking in you’d probably think that.

“But when you’re involved, because you want the players to get what you feel they deserve so badly, you just can’t switch off from it.

“But when you’re involved, because you want the players to get what you feel they deserve so badly, you just can’t switch off from it.

“So when Perry (Ng) scored it was a big relief and then to hear the roars when you presumed something was happening was nice.”

Exeter’s Matt Taylor said to the club media: “I’ve just said to them I’m not too sure what to say to you guys right now.

“Look, incredible ending to the game, an incredible moment for Jack and the team, a massive point.

“But as a manager and the leader of that group, that first half really hurt, really hurt in such a big game.

“We couldn’t get anywhere near to the ball, near to the opposition, couldn’t cover the space, we didn’t move fast enough.

“We looked a one-paced team in that first half and I’ll take responsibility for that because there’s some players who’ve come into the team and done really well but there’s always a game which hits you and just reminds you how difficult it really is and that was probably that first half today.

“I think if you go back a couple of months and we found ourselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes, you’d probably think the worst but this team showed great fight and did all they could to get a point today. That’s what we have to do.

“I’m bothered about what’s happened in the past in terms of coming back from deficits and getting goals back in the game.

“We are fighting for our lives and that really showed in that second half performance but in fairness to us, our last few games we have started like that.

“We didn’t start well enough today and we paid the price and it was a monumental effort to get us back into the game and then to concede the third was another kick in a painful place but that moment at the end has kept us within touching distance of a couple of teams.”

He added: “I’d say a magical moment for Jack Bycroft and one that will live with him for a long time. He deserves that because nothing other than how he’s trained and what he does every single day.

“He’s not perfect but no one is but he goes into every goal at every moment putting his body in front of the ball and trying to keep the ball out of the net.

“People say that’s the job of a goalkeeper. For him to do that when for the majority of the season he’s known he’s not starting at the weekend and trained to his limit, him and Kev Miller can’t speak highly enough of that and that is a massive moment for that goalkeeping union today.

“But he’ll also know that we need to do better in front of him to not concede three goals.”

Transcribed with the help of TurboScribe!

Here’s how fans reacted after the Exeter keeper scores a 96th minute equaliser against Stockport to ensure Cardiff go up…

@DangeSG: Petition for a statue of Jack Bycroft already circulating around the Cardiff faithful 🙏🏻

@DanMcKay1984: Could be a potential jimmy glass moment , Wimbledon are in terrible form and still catchable

@DHorspole20: Love this!! Exactly why we all love football

@GWilliamsss_: Can we have get a Jack Bycroft statue outside the CCS please? @CardiffCityFC. Thanks x

@Evi1Geniu5: Football Bloody Hell 💪

@VFTNinian: Is it too late to change my player of the year vote?

@c8nnorr: Jack I know we got off to a ropey start in the vertu yeah. But genuinely mate I fucking adore you

@AnthonyWareing: Jack Bycroft!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those that don’t know, he is the 2nd choice goalkeeper!!!! #ecfc

@TobinLuca: Keys to the city, knighthood, whatever you want sunshine

@_JoshDenham: Give him a 5 year contract. Been fantastic since coming into the team and that ”could” keep us up. You sexy bastard. #ECFC

@bwfc_leon09: IM SORRY FOR SAYING YOU SHOULD BE LIQUIDATED I LOVE YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER YOU FUCKING BEAUTIES

@CcfcOK1: Pint on me in Cardiff, Jack son.

@ThreeBluebirds_: Free pints for Mr. Bycroft next time Exeter are in town. What a bloke 🤣

@InkedVendettah: Thank you Exeter goalkeeper 😂 Job done. Outstanding performance. Back where we belong. Blues are going up. 💙

@ScottyPufc: can’t write it Exeter GK scoring a last min point to keep them alive #pufc

@ChrisButSports: Give them an inch and they’ll take a yard. Exeter will be fully up for their last 2 now, whilst Orient and AFCW have just given up. This is going to be horrible.

@Warren1978: Our 12th player today, thank you Sir Jack Bycroft 🤯👀😂 and Exeter. Good luck with your next few games I hope you manage to stay up 👍

@Verschorenecfc: Exeter City 3-3 Stockport County. Football, bloody hell. First half was poor, but really picked up in the second half. Fought hard and got a point with a goal from Bycroft the GK!!! One of the craziest things I’ve ever seen, still can’t believe it! #ECFC

@IanBurnell27: Of all people to score to send us up the Exeter keeper from that cup tie 😂😂

@RJMorgan3153: Dear Jack, I know we had a rocky start, but I truly believe all is forgiven. If you are ever in Cardiff or I bump into you in the great city of Exeter. I can confirm the first 10 pints are on me. Kind Regards Rhys

@DSharp02_: Have my kids Jack Bycroft you beautiful blonde headed bastard #ecfc

@SaintDyl99: As if an ex saints academy player in Jack Bycroft is going to F up my 100/1 outright I done at the start of the season… #SaintsFC #HeadsGone 🤯😤

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