The manager speaks after the match
Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale praised his side's first half performance on Saturday but described the mistakes that lead to Bristol Rovers' goals as 'terrible.'
Speaking to the official site, a philosophical Tisdale said:
“Mistakes will happen. As much as we made two terrible mistakes, you can’t put all the blame on the defenders and goalkeepers.
“We had more than our fair share of chances to score goals today and we didn’t take them.
“The game will always be about movement and goals, today they (Bristol Rovers) scored one more than us - but our first half was terrific.”
To compound a miserable afternoon for the Grecians Alan Gow limped off the pitch, and Tisdale has admitted concern over the key striker’s fitness, but defended his decision to play Gow, saying:
“He took a really nasty tackle in the first half and there was a lot of swelling on the knee at half time.
“Admittedly I would have liked to keep him out, but you have to make practical as well as emotional decisions.”
Scot Bennett was also stretchered off to complete a dismal afternoon at St James Park although an x-ray on Saturday night showed no fracture in his leg.
Despite today’s disappointment, Tisdale still believes that the season is moving in the right direction.
He said: “I see an effective team with substance who can score goals. Over the season we will have days like this, but they will only make us stronger.”
Tuesday night’s trip to bottom club Barnet offers a quick opportunity for recovery, but Tisdale is faced with some potential selection difficulties ahead of the game.