Exeter City beat Lincoln to secure Wembley Play-Off final 

Exeter came out triumphant in a 3-1 victory against Lincoln in front of a sold out St James Park in the League 2 Play-Off Semi-Final second leg. 

City’s leading goal scorer this season Jayden Stockley scored a first-half goal before Hiram Boateng and Ryan Harley both fired in stunning long range efforts to book Exeter a place at Wembley for the second successive year.

Stockely, who has now scored 25 goal this season for the Grecians, fired in a half volley across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner during the opening 45 minutes. 

Soon after the visitors went behind, they had the ball in the back of the net and thought they scored an equaliser. But after a conversation between the referee and the linesman, the goal was disallowed for hand ball inside the box. 

The Grecains led 1-0 at half-time. 

City couldn’t have asked for a better start in the second half. Grecian midfielder Hiram Boateng picked the ball up in midfield before unleashing a venomous strike from long range which bounced of the post into the net. 

City sealed victory thanks to another thunderbolt, this time from the left boot of Ryan Harley. The midfielder found space just outside of the box, instead of playing in Stockely who made a run in behind, he decided to put his laces through it and the ball rifled past the goalkeeper to secure City’s third goal. 

Despite being three down, Lincoln continued to play with real danger going forward. When they worked their way into the heart of Exeter’s box, Matt Green scored from a tight angle past City’s player of the season Christy Pym. It only proved to be a consolation. City held strong in defence to deny a comeback as it finished 3-1 after 90 minutes. 

The win guarantees Exeter a place at Wembley for the League 2 Play-Off Final on bank holiday Monday. It’s the second successive season that Exeter have reached Wembley.  

Full time: Exeter City 3 Lincoln 1 

Attendance: 5,645