Taiwo Awoniyi was on the scoresheet and suffered an injury as Nottingham Forest defeated Exeter City 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time, Afrosport reports.
The Nigerian forward was making only his fifth competitive start this season and second in the FA Cup after the previous round against Luton Town.
Exeter went ahead in the eighth minute through Josh Magennis but Forest responded in the 15th and 37th minute when Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare set up Ramon Sosa and Awoniyi.
It was the latter’s second goal of the season after his first came off the bench in a 3-0 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux early last month.
Woody replaces Taiwo who is on the end of a nasty aerial collision.
Our thoughts are with you, T. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qUTDwFIx09
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 11, 2025
Exeter however found their way back as Magennis completed his brace in the 50th minute.
The League One side were reduced to 10 men in the 87th minute as Ed Turns was shown a straight red card.
Awoniyi was then stretched off in added time after a clash of heads with Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. The Super Eagles forward was replaced with talisman Chris Wood with 24 additional minutes being played before going into extra time.
Woody replaces Taiwo who is on the end of a nasty aerial collision.
Our thoughts are with you, T. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qUTDwFIx09
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 11, 2025
Forest had no problems in the shootout as they converted all their penalties while Reece Cole and Angus MacDonald missed for Exeter.
Espirito Santo’s men will now host Ipswich Town at the City Ground in the sixth round for a chance to reach the quarter-finals.
