The Grecians looked set for a 3-2 loss but they won a late corner and the shot-stopper went forward and powered a header home in front of a delirious Big Bank to earn a crucial point for his team in their battle for survival – in the process, confirming Cardiff’s promotion due to the points dropped by Stockport.

Earlier, Malik Mothersille and Josh Stokes had given County a 2-0 lead before Reece Cole and Timur Tutierov levelled things up for Exeter. Odin Bailey looked to have won it for the play-off chasers until Bycroft’s dramatic intervention six minutes into stoppage time.

“I have spoken at length about set-pieces but (Bycroft) committed to it, committed to the run and had the belief that the ball might be there and the moment it was, he committed to the header – and it was an excellent header as well,” said interim manager Taylor.

“I am incredibly delighted with the end, it was very positive, but you will sense my frustration at that first half because we weren’t where we needed to be.

“That wasn’t us from the last few weeks of what we have tried to put out there and you have to give credit to the opposition, but we were soft with our physical movements, our duels and our willingness to take the game to Stockport.

“We chased it in that second half and it made a real difference in terms of the tactical aspect, but the intent of this group really grew off the back of Reece’s goal just before half-time.

“I was so frustrated with the goals we conceded, but what a moment to finish. I don’t think we have had a half like that for some time where we have created so many chances.”

Stockport boss Dave Challinor felt it was two points dropped for his side as they missed a glut of chances to kill the game off.

“It is two points dropped, without question, because we have not put the game to bed when we were in control of it,” he said. “We let them back into it and you have a team fighting for their lives and we have not managed the game well enough.

“They were chasing a goal to try and get them something, so it’s been a really disappointing end to what has been a good week for us, but I also can’t go against what I have said all season about winning at home and drawing away. With that being the case, two draws might have been good for us, but to put ourselves in the position we put ourselves in to then not get three points is disappointing.

“We would have taken four points (from AFC Wimbledon and Exeter) but the way things transpired over the week, it can make you feel different. We know we’ve got issues defensively but whether we have issues or not, they are three bad goals to concede.

“We also need to score the chances we created and we should have scored more than three.”