Nottingham Forest escaped a massive FA Cup scare against 10-man Exeter, winning a penalty shootout after drawing 2-2 at St James Park.

Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Elliot Anderson all scored from the spot before fellow replacement Neco Williams sealed a lengthy stalemate with the final kick of the game at 11.03pm.

Josh Magennis and Tony Yogane scored for League One Exeter, but Matz Sels saved Reece Cole’s weak penalty and Angus MacDonald hit the crossbar as Forest won 4–2.

Forest, third in the Premier League and the highest-ranked team still in the FA Cup, will now face Ipswich at home in round five.

Magennis had scored twice for Exeter, becoming the competition’s leading scorer with six goals, giving the Grecians an early lead before equalising at the opening of the second session.

Ramon Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi, who left the play in stoppage time on a stretcher after being treated by doctors for many minutes, helped Forest win the tie.

Ed Turns, making his Exeter debut, was sent out three minutes from time for a thigh-high challenge on Gibbs-White, but Forest had to settle for an extra 30 minutes after Jota Silva struck the crossbar with an effort.

Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo used the chance to rest virtually his whole regular starting lineup after the club spent the week at a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Danilo, a Brazilian midfielder, was the only surviving member of the team that defeated Brighton 7-0 the last time out.

Nuno’s teamsheet gave Exeter – 59 places behind Forest on the football league table – real hope of replicating the giant-killing feat of their Devon neighbors Plymouth, who stunned Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

Exeter had not won since their third-round triumph over Oxford, losing four of their last five games and surrendering ten goals against Leyton Orient and Stevenage in their previous two games.

A big banner with the words ‘Together We Can Create History’ was carried aloft on Exeter’s Big Bank, the largest standing terrace in English football, as Grecians fans celebrated the club’s first fourth-round match since 1981.

Carlos Miguel fumbled Demetri Mitchell’s fifth-minute attempt at Magennis’ feet, allowing those supporters to enjoy a fantastic start.

The Northern Ireland international was arguably offside, but with no VAR in place, the goal remained.

After Awoniyi toed the ball past Grecians goalkeeper Joe Whitworth, Vincent Harper ran back to clear it off the line.

But Exeter’s relief was short-lived, as Ibrahim Sangare spotted Sosa and the Paraguayan scored again, exactly as he had against Luton in the third round.

Whitworth deflected Awoniyi’s shot around a post, but the Forest attacker would not be denied after 37 minutes.

Again, Sangare supplied, and Awoniyi was free to turn on the edge of the box, shift the ball onto his left foot, and find the bottom corner with Whitworth unmoving.

Exeter equalised five minutes later when Magennis climbed highest at a corner, forcing Miguel into a point-blank save.

Magennis was on the rebound in a flash, and Willy Boly converted it into his own goal off a post.

Miguel was shortly forced out due to injury and replacement. Sels stood strong to keep Ilmari Niskanen from benefitting one-on-one.

In extra time, it was one-way traffic, with Whitworth denying Wood twice as Forest dominated the game.

Nuno: Relief is the major emotion – and kudos to Exeter.

Forest’s head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo:

“I’m relieved, and I believe we all are. Obviously, that wasn’t the best game. We started badly, but we responded brilliantly. We dominated the first half, creating and changing the score.

“The plan for the second half was to finish out the game, but we conceded from a set piece, and everything changed. Exeter had one fewer player, so kudos to them, but we hurried decisions and are relieved that we made it through.”

Exeter manager Caldwell is proud with the entire team.

Gary Caldwell, Exeter manager, spoke to ITV Sport:

“I am really pleased of the squad and the football club in general. We just came up short on penalties, which is a lottery.

“I felt we were fantastic. With ten guys, it was backs against the wall. We might have either won or lost at the end. The guys put forth an outstanding performance.

“I believe it demonstrates their potential and capabilities, and they can improve their game. We must demonstrate that dedication to each other, and if we do, I am confident we will have a lot to look forward to. We’ve set the basic standard.”

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