Malachi Boateng’s late equalizer secured a 3-3 draw for Plymouth Argyle against Exeter City, a result that Plymouth’s interim manager Tom Cleverley described as pivotal in their push for a play-off position. The match, played on Saturday, saw both teams exchanging leads in a dramatic contest before Boateng’s strike three minutes after Jordan Wareham appeared to have clinched the win for Exeter.

Exeter took the lead early through Reece Cole, but Plymouth responded with a Lorent Tolaj goal to level the score. The hosts then regained the advantage twice, only for Plymouth to fight back each time, culminating in Boateng’s injury-time effort that preserved a valuable point.

Cleverley emphasized the significance of the equalizer, calling it the team’s most important goal of the season. “That goal is huge in terms of, ‘Okay, we’ve dropped two points, but we’ve not completely lost momentum,’” he said, highlighting the impact of the result on their ongoing campaign.

Exeter’s interim manager Matt Taylor expressed pride in his players and the club as a whole but acknowledged the frustration of conceding a late goal after holding the lead twice. “When you go ahead twice – and certainly for the second time – so late on in the game, you’re hoping you can see the game out,” Taylor said.

The draw means both sides share the spoils, with Plymouth maintaining their pursuit of a playoff spot while Exeter remains competitive in the league standings. The match showcased resilience from both teams, underscoring the tightly contested nature of the season.