Bristol City secured a 1-1 draw against Exeter City in their final pre-season friendly at St James Park, with Tomi Horvat's late deflected strike cancelling out Reece Cole's first-half stunner. The Robins, who finished 12th in the Championship last season with 62 points (17W-11D-18L), looked sharp in patches but were pegged back in the 83rd minute after dominating for long periods.
What happened in the match?
Exeter City started brightly, with Jayden Wareham and Taylor Perry coming close early on. Jed Wallace hit the crossbar for Bristol City before Cole's 30-yard thunderbolt gave the Robins a 1-0 lead at half-time. Sonny Cox and Jack Fitzwater nearly doubled the advantage after the break, but Exeter's Jack Bycroft made key saves. Horvat's deflected shot in the 83rd minute ensured the spoils were shared.
Why it matters for Bristol City
The result caps a solid pre-season for Bristol City, who have been working under new manager Michael Skubala. With the Championship campaign set to begin, the Robins will take confidence from their attacking play, though defensive solidity remains a focus. Last season, they scored and conceded 59 goals each, finishing 33 points behind leaders Coventry City.
What comes next for Bristol City?
Bristol City will now turn their attention to the new Championship season, with their first fixture scheduled for February 27, 2027, at home to Charlton Athletic, who finished 19th last season. The Robins will hope to build on their pre-season form and improve on their 12th-place finish from 2025.
