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

There have been dramatic scenes after Exeter keeper Jack Bycroft scores a 96th minute equaliser in opposition to Stockport to make sure Cardiff go up.

The Bluebirds are again within the second tier on the first time of asking with a 3-1 win over Studying, and helped by a 3-3 draw at Exeter, who additionally increase their survival hopes.

They transfer inside two factors of security after their late draw and AFC Wimbledon’s 3-1 loss at dwelling to Plymouth.

In the meantime for already promoted Lincoln, they now want only one extra level to win the league title.

JACK BYCROFT… ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 🤯

The Exeter Metropolis goalkeeper scored a 96th-minute equaliser to rescue a degree! pic.twitter.com/XikuyAiwuX

— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) April 18, 2026

YES! pic.twitter.com/znZc1GtcWP

— Exeter Metropolis FC (@OfficialECFC) April 18, 2026

CARDIFF CITY HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO THE EFL CHAMPIONSHIP#CardiffCity #Bluebirds #CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/Q4qHlkXV88

— Screwball Screwball (@ScrewballHalos) April 18, 2026

We love you exeter#ECFC #grecians pic.twitter.com/IVxEs1h3t0

– Bamba_ccfc (@harri3909297534) April 18, 2026

GOALKEEPER GOAL ALERT! 🚨

Exeter Metropolis’s Jack Bycroft scored a last-minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw in opposition to Stockport to maintain the membership’s survival hopes alive! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Y3QGg6T8QQ

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 18, 2026

90+6 | JACK BYCROFT HAS SCORED A GOAL!!!!!!!!#ECFC 3-3 STO | #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/vwu3i8KRpr

— Exeter Metropolis FC (@OfficialECFC) April 18, 2026

“It means the world,” head coach Brian Barry-Murphy informed Sky Sports activities Information.

“I’ve been blessed to work with a gaggle of gamers who’ve unimaginable ambition. At occasions they performed soccer from the Gods so I’m actually grateful.

“Due to what the gamers have accomplished and the way nicely they’ve performed, we are inclined to overlook the place we’ve come from.

“It’s a really particular membership. I believed these gamers might do it and I feel the perfect factor is that we’ve solely seen the beginning of it.”

😍 @JackBycroft my lord 😍#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/aMIzdlXJAU

— Exeter Metropolis FC (@OfficialECFC) April 18, 2026

💬 “I’ve simply mentioned to the gamers in there I’m not fairly positive what to say to you guys proper now!”

Matt Taylor reacts to Metropolis’s dramatic 3-3 draw with @StockportCounty at SJP ⬇️

Interview powered by @TheTurmericCo 🔋#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/UfRoiI4Qh6

— Exeter Metropolis FC (@OfficialECFC) April 18, 2026

Exeter’s Matt Taylor mentioned to the membership media: “I’ve simply mentioned to them I’m not too positive what to say to you guys proper now.

“Look, unimaginable ending to the sport, an unimaginable second for Jack and the staff, an enormous level.

“However as a supervisor and the chief of that group, that first half actually harm, actually harm in such a giant recreation.

“We couldn’t get wherever close to to the ball, close to to the opposition, couldn’t cowl the area, we didn’t transfer quick sufficient.

“We seemed a one-paced staff in that first half and I’ll take duty for that as a result of there’s some gamers who’ve come into the staff and accomplished rather well however there’s at all times a recreation which hits you and simply reminds you the way tough it truly is and that was in all probability that first half in the present day.

“I feel when you return a few months and we discovered ourselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes, you’d in all probability assume the worst however this staff confirmed nice combat and did all they might to get a degree in the present day. That’s what we’ve got to do.

“I’m bothered about what’s occurred prior to now by way of getting back from deficits and getting objectives again within the recreation.

“We’re combating for our lives and that actually confirmed in that second half efficiency however in equity to us, our previous few video games we’ve got began like that.

“We didn’t begin nicely sufficient in the present day and we paid the worth and it was a monumental effort to get us again into the sport after which to concede the third was one other kick in a painful place however that second on the finish has stored us inside touching distance of a few groups.”

He added: “I’d say a magical second for Jack Bycroft and one that can stay with him for a very long time. He deserves that as a result of nothing aside from how he’s skilled and what he does each single day.

“He’s not excellent however nobody is however he goes into each aim at each second placing his physique in entrance of the ball and making an attempt to maintain the ball out of the web.

“Individuals say that’s the job of a goalkeeper. For him to try this when for almost all of the season he’s recognized he’s not beginning on the weekend and skilled to his restrict, him and Kev Miller can’t communicate extremely sufficient of that and that may be a huge second for that goalkeeping union in the present day.

“However he’ll additionally know that we have to do higher in entrance of him to not concede three objectives.”

Transcribed with the assistance of TurboScribe!

Right here’s how followers reacted after the Exeter keeper scores a 96th minute equaliser in opposition to Stockport to make sure Cardiff go up…

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

@DanMcKay1984: May very well be a possible jimmy glass second , Wimbledon are in horrible kind and nonetheless catchable

@DHorspole20: Love this!! Precisely why all of us love soccer

@GWilliamsss_: Can we’ve got get a Jack Bycroft statue exterior the CCS please? @CardiffCityFC. Thanks x

@Evi1Geniu5: Soccer Bloody Hell 💪

@VFTNinian: Is it too late to alter my participant of the 12 months vote?

@c8nnorr: Jack I do know we bought off to a ropey begin within the vertu yeah. However genuinely mate I fucking adore you

@AnthonyWareing: Jack Bycroft!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those who don’t know, he’s the 2nd alternative goalkeeper!!!! #ecfc

@TobinLuca: Keys to the town, knighthood, no matter you need sunshine

@_JoshDenham: Give him a 5 12 months contract. Been incredible since coming into the staff and that ”might” preserve us up. You attractive 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 subsequent time Exeter are on the town. What a bloke 🤣

@InkedVendettah: Thanks Exeter goalkeeper 😂 Job accomplished. Excellent efficiency. Again the place we belong. Blues are going up. 💙

@ScottyPufc: can’t write it Exeter GK scoring a final min level to maintain them alive #pufc

@ChrisButSports: Give them an inch and so they’ll take a yard. Exeter might be totally up for his or her final 2 now, while Orient and AFCW have simply given up. That is going to be horrible.

@Warren1978: Our twelfth participant in the present day, thanks Sir Jack Bycroft 🤯👀😂 and Exeter. Good luck along with your subsequent few video games I hope you handle to remain up 👍

@Verschorenecfc: Exeter Metropolis 3-3 Stockport County. Soccer, bloody hell. First half was poor, however actually picked up within the second half. Fought exhausting and bought a degree with a aim from Bycroft the GK!!! One of many craziest issues I’ve ever seen, nonetheless can’t consider it! #ECFC

@IanBurnell27: Of all individuals to attain to ship us up the Exeter keeper from that cup tie 😂😂

@RJMorgan3153: Pricey Jack, I do know we had a rocky begin, however I really consider all is forgiven. If you’re ever in Cardiff or I stumble upon you within the nice metropolis of Exeter. I can verify the primary 10 pints are on me. Type Regards Rhys

@DSharp02_: Have my children Jack Bycroft you lovely blonde headed bastard #ecfc

@SaintDyl99: As if an ex saints academy participant in Jack Bycroft goes to F up my 100/1 outright I accomplished at first of the season… #SaintsFC #HeadsGone 🤯😤

Completely outrageous!!!! The scenes if we keep up by a degree and it’s right down to that Bycroft equaliser in entrance of the large financial institution within the 96th minute! It’s an unbelievable level.UP THE CITY ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #ecfc pic.twitter.com/84irMT3NSP

— Tom Vickery (@TVickers1) April 18, 2026

When our keepers scored an equaliser within the sixth minute of added time to maintain the dream alive. #ecfc @OfficialECFC #bycroft pic.twitter.com/wmhT4EZpi1

— Ian Cooper (@iandc6) April 18, 2026