Lincoln City and Exeter City have shared a long, evenly balanced rivalry that stretches back more than sixty years.
A shared kit in 1992/93, literally identical apart from badge and sponsor, always sticks in my mind. For many supporters, their fans’ behaviour after our play-off semi-final defeat still rankles. Sadly, I was laid up having had my back op and didn’t make that game, so I could switch off their celebrations.
The clubs first crossed paths in the early 1960s and have since met 70 times in league and cup. The overall record could not be closer, with victories and draws split almost evenly between the sides.
| Competition | Played | Lincoln Wins | Draws | Exeter Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 68 | 28 | 20 | 20 |
| Cup | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 70 | 28 | 21 | 21 |
Recent Clashes
The most recent meetings in League One have been tight, with both encounters in 2024/25 ending goalless, but red cards flying around for players and staff of the Grecians. In 2023/24, Lincoln won 1-0 at Sincil Bank thanks to Joe Taylor’s decisive strike, while the reverse fixture in Devon finished 1-1, Ali Smith scoring for us.
The 2022/23 season brought frustration, with Exeter edging a 2-1 win at St James Park, ending an unbeaten Imps run, and us being held at home on the opening day.
In fact, stalemates have been a theme in recent years. The clubs drew 1-1 in February 2019, adding to a sequence of narrow margins. However, City will remember fondly a commanding 3-0 away success in September 2018, months after the play-off semi-final game, when Lee Frecklington, John Akinde and a Troy Brown own goal secured a comfortable victory in Devon.
Earlier Meetings
Perhaps the most memorable chapter came in the 2017/18 League Two play-offs. After a cagey 0-0 draw at Sincil Bank, Exeter took control in the second leg with a 3-1 victory to end Lincoln’s promotion hopes. A few months earlier, the Imps had produced one of the standout matches in the fixture’s history, coming from behind to beat the Grecians 3-2 on Good Friday in 2018, with goals from Danny Rowe, Matt Green and a late Ollie Palmer winner.
That game is best remembered (by me) for Palmer scoring and running the length of the field to celebrate, only for it to be ruled out. Moments later, he bagged again.
The rivalry goes much further back. In October 2002, Scott Willis struck the only goal to give Lincoln a 1-0 win, while in the late 1990s and early 2000s the clubs exchanged wins as both battled in the lower reaches of the Football League.
The 1970s also saw the Imps enjoy strong home form, including a 5-0 thrashing in August 1974. Notable victories came in the 1980s too, such as a 4-1 triumph in October 1982 and a 2-0 win in May 1982 at the end of a promotion-chasing campaign.
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