Aviva Premiership: Shane Geraghty earns London Irish dramatic win over Exeter
Last Updated: 11/01/15 5:48pm
Shane Geraghty kicked a last-minute drop goal to give London Irish a 28-26 win over Exeter at the Madejski Stadium.
Exeter looked in control at the interval but they had a disastrous third quarter and slumped to their fourth consecutive Aviva Premiership defeat.
The visitors were outscored by four tries to two and it was only the immaculate goal-kicking of Gareth Steenson that kept the Chiefs in contention.
Blair Cowan scored two of the Exiles tries, with Tom Guest and Alex Lewington also touching down, while Geraghty kicked a conversion and the crucial drop goal and Tom Homer added a penalty.
Exeter's tries came through Dean Mumm and Dave Ewers with Steenson landing four penalties and two conversions.
The Chiefs built pressure after Lewington dropped Henry Slade's up-and-under and were rewarded with a penalty in the home 22 which Steenson nailed to put them ahead.
The visitors then conceded a scrum penalty and Irish elected for an attacking line-out which culminated in Cowan being driven over.
It was then Irish's turn to commit a scrum offence and Steenson made no mistake with his kick to put them back in front.
Another error from Lewington presented the Chiefs with their first try, the wing knocking on in his own 22 for Exeter to take advantage with Mumm forcing his way over for the try, which Steenson converted for a 13-5 interval lead.
The second half started badly for the hosts when Andrew Fenby knocked on when under no pressure and, when Irish were penalised at the resulting scrum, Slade's penalty fell just under the crossbar.
Irish scored their second try when following a pre-planned line-out move, Cowan and David Paice combining to create the try for Guest, which Geraghty converted.
Two minutes later, Irish were over again as Fergus Mulchrone's pass gave Lewington the chance to redeem his early errors which he did so by holding off the attentions of Moray Low, Slade and Ewers to squeeze in for the try.
Exeter suffered a further blow as replacement Low was injured in that action and was carried off on a stretcher.
A miserable third quarter for the Chiefs was completed when a neat pass from Geraghty sent Cowan in for his second try to leave the visitors trailing 22-13 with 20 minutes remaining.
Chiefs responded when Sam Hill ran strongly to put the home defence on the back foot, allowing Ewers to crash over for the try which Steenson converted.
Homer and Steenson exchanged penalties to set up an exciting finish; Steenson's fourth penalty saw Chiefs ahead before Geraghty's very late strike gave Irish a morale-boosting win.
