Jack Aitchison had put City ahead, but Bolton turned it around with two late goals as their dominance told – and City drop to 22nd(Image: Phil Oldham/Shutterstock)

Exeter City dropped into the relegation zone in League One after they couldn’t hold on to a first half lead at Bolton Wanderers. City had gone ahead against the promotion-chasers, but two goals in the final quarter ensured it was another battling but agonizing defeat on the road.

Christmas came early for the Grecians when they took the lead midway through the first half. Jack Aitchison pounced on a defensive mix-up and the present he was given, and slotted home with fourth goal of the season from 35 yards into the empty net.

It was all Bolton, and eventually on 72 minutes, they levelled. Jordi Osei-Tutu saw an effort come back off the foot of the post, and Sam Dalby was able to tap home from close range to equalise.

And with eight minutes to go, the Trotters won it. Thierry Gale waltzed forward and curled a brilliant finish into the far corner as the dominance that they had shown finally told as they broke down a resolute City defence to make it 2-1.

City couldn’t find an equalizer, and for the eighth time in 10 League One away games, they were beaten – seven of those by a single goal. The result saw Exeter drop down to 22nd spot and into the bottom four, although City are only three points behind 16th spot. Bolton, unbeaten at home this season, rose to fourth with victory.

Sil Swinkels of Exeter City feels pressure from Amario Cozier-Duberry of Bolton Wanderers during the EFL League One match between Bolton Wanderers and Exeter City at The Toughsheet Community Stadium on 13 December 2025 in Bolton, England (Photo by Steve Taylor/PPAUK)

Following Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon, Gary Caldwell made five changes to the Grecians side as he freshened things up. Jack Fitzwater was suspended, so Sil Swinkels replaced him at the heart of the defence.

Johnly Yfeko was replaced by Luca Woodhouse, who made his full first league for City, Ethan Brierley returned after illness to replace Liam Oakes, while Sonny Cox and Josh Magennis came in for Akeel Higgins and Jayden Wareham with rotation in the front line. Reece Cole after a calf injury was fit enough for the bench, but Ed Turns missed out with injury, as did Yfeko.

Straight from kick-off, with seconds on the clock, City had the first chance. The ball was launched forward towards Cox, and only a last-ditch challenge by a Cyrus Christie stopping the striker from getting his shot away with only 15 seconds played.

It was Christie who had the first effort for the Trotters as he fired over after City had given the ball away. Bar the opening seconds, it had been Bolton on top as Exeter camped deep in their own half with it being attack vs defence, but without any real threat to City’s goal, Josh Sheehan seeing a shot from distance pushed wide by Joe Whitworth, before Mason Burstow flashed a shot off target.

But on 20 minutes, totally against the run of play, the Grecians took the lead. Goalkeeper Teddy-Sharman-Lowe was involved in a defensive mix-up as Aitchison nipped the ball away from him 35 yards from goal. The Scot had work to do from distance, but beautifully curled the finish into the empty net to put City ahead and send the away fans wild. In the Christmas season, it was a gift City had been given.

Goal celebrations for Jack Aitchison of Exeter City during the EFL League One match between Bolton Wanderers and Exeter City at The Toughsheet Community Stadium on 13 December 2025 in Bolton, England (Photo by Steve Taylor/PPAUK)

Bolton continued to dominate the game, but without really the chances to show for it. Amario Cozier-Duberry was posing a threat, but when danced into the box he couldn’t take advantage with the finish. Ibrahim Cissoko saw a shot blocked, as Whitworth wasn’t overly troubled as City went in ahead.

Caldwell made his first change at the break with Higgins replacing Cox. Steven Schumacher’s side though continued to threaten with Burstow and Max Conway coming close inside the opening two minutes before City cleared their lines, as did Gale, before Cozier-Duberry flashed an effort past the post.

Magennis was forced off his injured on the hour after seemingly suffering an ankle injury, with Wareham replacing him. The hosts had another chance when Conway was played through on goal, but oddly chose not to shoot first time as the chance went begging. Ilmari Niskanen then cleared one off the line from George Johnston after Whitworth came and failed to claim a corner

And with 20 minutes to go, Bolton’s pressure finally told as they forced the equalizer. Brierley was robbed of the ball 30 yards from goal, and Osei-Tutu was allowed to shoot from the edge of the box. The shot came back off the post and Dalby had the easiest of finishes to tap home from inside the six yard box to make it 1-1.

BOLTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Bolton Wanderers’ Marcus Forss passes the ball under pressure from Exeter City’s Luca Woodhouse during the Sky Bet League One match between Bolton Wanderers and Exeter City at University of Bolton Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)

Moments later, Bolton felt they should have had a penalty when Niskanen brought down Gale on the edge of the box, but referee Ben Speedie gave a free-kick. City meanwhile felt it should have gone the other way for a dive.

Bolton were pushing for a winner and Whitworth had to make a strong save to deny Kyle Dempsey from the angle. On a rare foray forward for Exeter though, Niskanen picked up Higgins, and his shot was blocked. It was only the second effort City had all game, with the goal being their other one.

Swinkels and Jake Doyle-Hayes both were booked for timewasting. But in the 82nd minute, Schumacher’s side got their second goal and took the lead. Cole had the ball taken off him and Bolton charged forward, Gale turned Niskanen inside and out, before curling a finish into the far corner giving Whitworth no chance, and it was 2-1.

Oakes and Kevin McDonald came on with the final changes as suddenly City needed another goal. Eight minutes of stoppage-time were added-on to give the Grecians hope. Cole saw an effort saved, as they couldn’t find a goal, and suffered yet another narrow and agonizing away loss.

Exeter City are back in action next Saturday when they host Barnsley at St James Park

Exeter City: Joe Whitworth, Pierce Sweeney, Sil Swinkels, Luca Woodhouse, Ilmari Niskanen, Ethan Brierley (Liam Oakes, 88), Jake Doyle-Hayes (Kevin McDonald, 88), Jack McMillan, Jack Aitchison (Reece Cole, 75), Sonny Cox (Akeel Higgins, 45), Josh Magennis (Jayden Wareham, 64)

Subs: Jack Bycroft, Ed Francis

Booking: Niskanen, Swinkels, Doyle-Hayes, Sweeney