Defender Brad Smith’s second-half goal rescued a 2-2 draw as injury-hit seven-times FA Cup winners Liverpool denied fourth tier Exeter City a notable third round giantkilling scalp yesterday.

The Premier League outfit, playing their third match in less than a week and without 11 injured first-teamers, fielded a barely recognisable second-string side and nearly slipped up against Exeter who are languishing in the bottom half of League Two.

Exeter went ahead after nine minutes when a low cross from Jamie Reid was poked home by top scorer Tom Nichols.

Liverpool were level three minutes later when Jerome Sinclair took advantage of hesitant defending to fire the ball home.

The hosts went back in front on the stroke of half-time when Lee Holmes caught out Liverpool keeper Adam Bogdan direct from a corner, but Smith’s equaliser on 73 minutes earned a replay at Anfield.

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