Taiwo Awoniyi injury latest: Nottingham Forest striker carried off on stretcher in FA Cup after collision with keeper
TAIWO AWONIYI was carried off on a stretcher after a serious collision with Exeter City keeper Joe Whitworth.
Whitworth came out to claim a high ball and accidentally hit Awoniyi - the striker appeared to headbutt the keeper, leaving him on the floor.
Awoniyi, who had scored Nottingham Forest's second, received treatment from club doctors and paramedics.
He appeared to have been put into the recovery position but it is not clear if he lost consciousness - the striker was then carried off on a stretcher after around TEN minutes.
There was good news soon after, with reports that Awoniyi was able to walk back to the changing rooms from the medical centre - he is said to have 'looked a bit groggy' but was walking unaided.
Exeter City came close to a giant killing in a thrilling encounter but eventually fell to a penalty shootout defeat to Nuno's side.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Follow our live blog below...
Caldwell 'proud' after losing 'lottery'
Exeter chief Gary Caldwell says their FA Cup shootout agony showed what a "special football club" he has - as "the only supporter-owned club in England.
Caldwell told ITV: "I am really proud of the team and the whole football club really.
"We just came up short on penalties, which is a lottery. I am really proud of the players.
"I thought we were outstanding. With 10 men it was backs against the wall. We could have won or lost it near the end. It is a fantastic effort from the players.
"I think it shows the potential and what they are capable of and they can raise their game.
" We have to show that commitment to each other and if we do that, I am sure we have got a lot to look forward to."
Nuno just 'happy' to go through
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo admitted his relief at going through.
He told ITV: "We started in a bad way but the response was good.
"We had another setback after half-time and it became so hard. Credit to Exeter. I am happy in the end that we are going through."
And asked what his Prem high-flies could have done better, he added So many things. It was hard to play. It was a hard game."
-
-
We 'live' for these Mag-estic nights
Exeter skipper Josh Magennis says clubs "live for" such FA Cup occasions - after Forest finally killed them off.
Magennis told ITV: "Going down to 10 men killed the momentum a little bit.
I was entrusted to be captain of the team so I thought it was my responsibility to step forward and take the first penalty.
"They're not in their position in the Premier League for no reason. It's back to bread and butter and we've not been in a rich vein of form.
"But we can take positives from this. We can take confidence.
"Everyone left the stadium knowing that was an entertaining match. These type of nights you want to live for."
Sels admits Forest made it 'difficult'
Forest keeper Matz Sels is dreaming of incredible seasons in both the Prem and FA cup.
After edging out Exeter, Sels told ITV: : ";We knew before the game it would be difficult.
"We didn't start the game well so I think after we came back well, we finished the game. It was just about ourselves and we made it difficult.
"It is a positive to go to the next round.
"Step by step. We have some important games in the league and then full focus on the cup. We try to continue as long as possible and we will see how far we can go."
Full fifth-round draw
- Preston North End v Burnley
- Aston Villa v Cardiff City
- Crystal Palace v Millwall
- Manchester United v Fulham
- Newcastle United v Brighton
- Bournemouth v Wolves
- Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle
- Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town
Matches to be played on the weekend of March 1-2
Penalties – Exeter 2-3 Nottingham Forest
Tony Yogane has to score...great penalty. SCORES.
Penalties – Exeter 1-3 Nottingham Forest
Anderson steps up for Forest...SCORES.
Penalties – Exeter 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Angus MacDonald steps up for the Grecians...MISSES.
It's a cruel game. He smacked the crossbar.
Penalties – Exeter 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Gibbs-White for the visitors...SCORES. Advantage to the Prem side.
Penalties – Exeter 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Reece Cole for Exeter...SAVED by Selz.
A really strong hand, tipping it round the post.
Penalties – Exeter 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Chris Wood up for Forest..SCORES!
Penalties – Exeter 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Magennis SCORES. Was it ever in doubt? He's been terrific.
Penalties - Exeter vs Nottingham Forest
The penalties will be taken infront of the Exeter home terrace.
Magennis has the ball, he'll be taking the first for the home side...
Extra time – Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest
30' - That might have been the chance.
Dominguez with another first-time strike in the box - and the ball flies just wide of the left post.
Exeter defend a corner moments later, the whistle imminent...
Extra time – Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest
29' - Tony Yogane hits the deck with cramp.
He came on as a sub! Spot-kicks beckon - unless someone can conjure some magic from nowhere.
Extra time – Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest
26' - All the game being played in Exeter's box now.
Domingues with the strike after pinball from a corner - it flies just over the bar.
Jay Bird hits the deck as Exeter try and reach that magic 120 minute mark.
From Justin Allen at St James Park
This has been an extraordinary cup tie.
I cannot understand where Exeter are getting all this energy from. They are down to 10 men but are hanging in there.
Chris Wood should have buried that header but you have to give keeper Joe Whitworth a lot of credit for getting down low to deny him.
Extra time – Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest
22' - After those forays forward in the first half of ET, Exeter now getting deeper and deeper.
They win a freekick for a foul on Jones by Sosa, milking the minutes.
These next eight minutes will seem like an eternity for the home support.
Extra time – Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest
19' - Clear instructions from Nuno to stop the pot-shots from 25 yards.
And twice Forest are in behind Exeter, only for last ditch blocks to stop the cross.
Do that for the remaining few minutes and Forest should carve out a decent chance against this tiring defence.
Moments later, Whitworth with a brilliant reaction save to deny Chris Wood from point-blank range.
Extra time - Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest
16' - Fantastic noise in the ground, powered by that huge, throwback terrace behind the goal.
Ten-man Exeter have been fantastic.
They have 15 minutes to survive and earn a deserved shot at welcoming Ipswich Town in round five.
Extra time – Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest
12' - A shake of the head from Nuno Santo as Elliot Anderson takes aim from 25 yards.
He nearly clears the terrace behind the goal, to the delight of the capacity crowd at St James'.
Forest not making their extra man count as it stands.