Exeter 3 Lincoln 1 (agg 3-1): Grecians’ march to League Two play-off final but win marred by ‘assault on 78-year-old kitman’
Exeter look to overcome last year's Wembley heartache as they book final date with either Coventry or Notts County
LINCOLN boss Danny Cowley claimed his 78-year-old kitman Dick Tacey was ‘assaulted’ in the ugly pitch invasion that followed their League Two play-off semi-final second-leg defeat at Exeter.
Goals from Jayden Stockley, Hiram Boateng and Ryan Harley took the Grecians to Wembley where they will face the winner of the tie between Notts County and Coventry.
But their win was tainted as thugs attacked the Imps’ coaching staff, with Tacey left with a bump on his head, while assistant boss Nicky Cowley was punched in the back of the head.
Danny Cowley said: “There were some unsavoury incidents at the end. Exeter supporters were happy, some of them were OK, but some were inappropriate.
“Our 78-year-old kitman was assaulted, it is not what you want to see. You respect the fact Exeter have won, but you don’t want to see that.”
Exeter boss Paul Tisdale said: “We deserved it. It was as purposeful performance full of intent and as positive as we could have given.
“We wanted to be really tough today and we saw a lot on Saturday with the problems that Lincoln can cause and we acknowledged it.
“They gave us a torrid 15 minutes of pummelling balls into our box, which is what you expect. They are desperate to get the goals back.
“But I am proud of the way we played. Jayden came in and said: ‘I can’t believe my goal was the worst of the three!’
“He’s a typical centre forward! Hiram probably owes us a goal and we all know that Ryan Harley has that in him.”
Imps have now suffered six straight play-off defeats while Exeter have a chance to make amends for last year when they lost to Blackpool in the play-off final.
The hosts’ early dominance paid off when Lincoln failed to clear a corner, Pierce Sweeney’s header picked out Stockley and he slotted in.
Boateng doubled Exeter’s lead after picking up possession on halfway before ending a powerful run with a stunning finish.
Lincoln’s hopes of a fightback were dashed when Harley smashed home a 30-yarder, with Matt Green pulling back a 78th-minute consolation.