Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale praised his side’s performance as they beat Notts County 2-1 at Meadow Lane.
The Grecians, who went into the match having lost five consecutive matches away from home, turned out an impressive display as they beat a County side who had not lost in the league at home all season.
An early strike from Jake Taylor gave City the perfect start before the excellent Jayden Stockley found the net just before half-time with a smart left-footed finish.
A Jon Stead penalty in the second-half saw Notts County pull a goal back as they tested City in the dying minutes with some considerable aerial pressure. But the Grecians held out and defended resolutely as they got back to winning ways on the road.
Following the match, Tis said: “I think it would have been a tough journey home had they got an equaliser, and we remembered what happened here last year when we were 2-0 up with two or three minutes to go and we drew 2-2. That maybe gave us an extra bit of steal, to keep the ball out of the net.
“The defence did extremely well, from front to back we played as a team. An early goal helps, the second even better because it gave us a cushion. I’m really pleased today.”
Tis also praised striker, Stockley, for his all-round performance as well as his goal. He continued: “There were 10 players defending our goal at one end, particularly well, and Jake Taylor did well to link the defending to a very good bit of attacking play.
“Jayden finished it off really well, he had a wonderful performance today. He did everything, he wasn’t just a physical presence, he linked play well, scored a goal and hit the crossbar. He was shooting from everywhere by the end and was still hitting the target. There’s not a player out there today that didn’t contribute fully.”
The Grecians now go into a bit of a break with a 10-day rest before their next match, and Tis thinks the period will help his side, who will look to their next match with a great deal of confidence.
He continued: “Our next game is in 10 days’ time. It gives us the chance to get a player or two back. The squad is strong, but it’s about the bench and having more players to have an opportunity to change things. Troy Brown and Jordan Moore-Taylor are both looking to be back soon, but either way, 10 days gives us a chance to rest a little in certain places.
“We can attack the next 10 days without being too concerned about things. It was good to stop that run away from home and get a win.
“We are three points behind Notts County with a game in hand. All those things are particularly relevant and we are at the stage of the season where it’s about marching into the next week and attacking the next game.”