Nicholls earns point for Grecians

Exeter needed a late goal from substitute Alex Nicholls to salvage a point from a 1-1 draw with Morecambe.Despite a strong start to the game from Exeter, it was Morecambe that went in front with the opening goal of the game on 17 minutes.Jamie Devitt broke free down the left and crossed to the back post where Aaron McGowan hammered a low shot back across goal and into the far corner.That goal seemed to knock Exeter as Morecambe grew into the game, but it was Exeter's Lee Holmes that looked the most dangerous player on the pitch. But for all of his good breaks, the Grecians struggled to carve out decent opportunities.Clinton Morrison spurned their best chance when he shot wide of the near post, but Exeter did get the equaliser their play deserved on 80 minutes when, just minutes after David Wheeler had a goal chalked off for offside, Nicholls lashed home from Tom Nichols' cross.It proved to be Nichols' last meaningful contribution as he was sent off in stoppage time for violent conduct.