Cheltenham Town 2-2 Exeter City: Robins Win Bonus Point on Penalties

Cheltenham Town and Exeter City shared a 2-2 draw in the English Football League Trophy on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, before Cheltenham claimed the extra point with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory. It was an entertaining West Country contest that featured two equalisers from the home side and a goalkeeping hero in the shootout.

Match overview

• Competition: English Football League Trophy
• Result: Cheltenham Town 2-2 Exeter City
• Cheltenham Town scorers: Rob Street 39, Liam Dulson 88
• Exeter City scorers: Millenic Alli 22, Reece Cole 67
• Penalty shootout: Cheltenham Town won 4-3
• Venue: Cheltenham Town’s home ground

Exeter City started brightly and took the lead in the 22nd minute. Millenic Alli found space on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, giving the visitors a deserved advantage. Exeter’s passing was crisp, and their midfield trio controlled the tempo for much of the first half.

Key moments

Cheltenham responded well to going behind. Their equaliser arrived in the 39th minute when Rob Street produced a sharp turn and finish inside the penalty area. The goal came against the run of play, but it was exactly the kind of clinical moment Cheltenham needed to stay in the contest.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Exeter regained the lead in the 67th minute through Reece Cole, who struck a powerful effort from just outside the box. Cheltenham pushed more players forward in response, and the decision paid off late on. In the 88th minute, substitute Liam Dulson connected with a cross and guided the ball home to make it 2-2.

With no further goals in normal time, the match moved to a penalty shootout. Cheltenham’s goalkeeper became the hero, saving two Exeter attempts, while the Robins converted four of their five kicks to win 4-3 and secure the bonus point.

Tactical story

Exeter City were the more polished side in possession. They built patiently from the back, used their wing-backs to create width, and looked to slip runners into the channels. Alli and Cole were their most dangerous attacking outlets, and both took their goals well.

Cheltenham’s approach was more pragmatic. They defended in a compact block, looked to win the ball in midfield, and attacked quickly through the flanks. Street’s hold-up play was important, while Dulson’s introduction from the bench gave them fresh energy in the final third. The Robins’ refusal to fold after Exeter’s second goal ultimately earned them a route into the shootout.

Standout players

Rob Street was Cheltenham’s most influential attacker, scoring the first equaliser and occupying Exeter’s centre-backs throughout. Liam Dulson made an impact as a substitute with the late goal, and the Cheltenham goalkeeper’s shootout saves turned a good team performance into a bonus-point win.

For Exeter, Millenic Alli and Reece Cole were the standout performers. Alli’s pace and direct running caused problems, while Cole’s goal was a reminder of his quality from distance. Exeter will feel they did enough to win in normal time, but they will settle for a point and the experience gained by their younger players.

Group and season impact

The result gives Cheltenham Town two points from the group-stage fixture, while Exeter City take one. In the EFL Trophy format, that extra point from the shootout can be decisive. Cheltenham will be pleased with their resilience, while Exeter will focus on the positives of a controlled away performance as they continue their campaign in League One and the EFL Trophy.