Nottingham Forest survived a scare from ten-man Exeter City to progress to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup after overcoming the League One outfit on penalties.
Josh Magennis opened the scoring for Exeter City after just five minutes before efforts from Ramón Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi fired Forest into the lead.
Macgennis restored parity not long into the second half, before Exeter debutant Ed Turns was given his marching orders late on for a mistimed challenge.
Exeter took the lead early in the first half through Macgennis when pounced on Forest keeper Carlos Miguel's fumble to tap home amidst a raucous St. James Park.
The hosts were then forced into evasive action down the other end of the pitch when keeper Joe Whitworth looked to claim a loose ball, his blushes only spared by a timely Vincent Harper intervention.
Forest equalised through Sosa not long after, with the Paraguayan artfully weaving his way through the box to fire past Whitworth.
The Exeter keeper was then forced into a fine save from Awoniyi, diving to his left to prevent the Nigerian's volley from reaching the back of the net.
Despite an incredible effort from 10-man @OfficialECFC, it's @NFFC who progress on penalties 🌳#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/jm91JOJYZa
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 11, 2025
Awoniyi would not be denied a second time however, as he skilfully curled a low effort from 20 yards just minutes later to ensure the Premier League side entered the break in the ascendancy.
It would not take long for Exeter to level the scores after the restart, with Macgennis firing home after a goalmouth scramble.
With Gary Caldwell's men growing in confidence, substitute Matz Sels was immediately tested after coming on for the injured Miguel, stretching to deny Ilmari Niskanen's attempt at goal.
Magennis has got another!@OfficialECFC are back in it 😲#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/YFUYPAkPEC
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 11, 2025
An Exeter corner saw Ed Turns free at the back post, but the defenderwas forced into a cross before being sent off minutes later for a mistimed challenge.
Extra-time saw Macgennis almost secure a hattrick when he expertly controlled the ball on his chest, only to fire straight into the arms of Sels.
Exeter winger Pat Jones then tried his luck from 20 yards out, only to see his volley blocked amidst a sea of sky blue shirts before Forest forward Chris Wood saw his header stopped by Whitworth down the other end of the pitch.
With neither side able to find a breakthrough in extra-time, Forest kept their composure to progress to the fifth round on penalties, where they will meet Ipswich Town.
