Marcus Stewart expressed his frustration at the run the Grecians are on but the experienced striker called on the City fans to help turn things around when he talked exclusively to the Official Website on Saturday.

The Grecians have only won one of their last eight games and much of the post-match talk following Monday's 1-1 draw with Gillingham at The Park was the frustration of the fans.

And with a tough run of home games coming up, starting with the visit of Leeds United on January 16th, Stewart believes they will need their fans more than ever.

"We need you, it is as simple as that, and your voices we can hear so try to be positive," the 37-year-old said.

"The fans are right to voice their opinions but all I would say to them is try not to. If anything just be quiet and let us get on with it.

"We can hear it and it is hard and frustrating for us and hopefully we can turn it around. I understand the fans frustration but we need them more than ever now for the last 10/12 home games.

"We aren't trying to play badly and we are trying our best to do well. Give us a chance, give the players a chance and of course trust Paul and who he picks. Let us do the business and get behind us."

One of the positives to come from Saturday's game was Richard Duffy's first goal for the club after being moved to a central midfield position, just as he was at Southampton on Saturday.

Duffy's long range effort deflects in

His long-range effort took a deflection on its way past Alan Julian and Stewart believes it shows the value of players trying their luck from distance.

"I think he heard the shouts from the crowd to shoot and he took it on and it got a deflection and went in," he said.

"We had a deflection that went against us at Southampton and one that went for us against Gillingham. If you don't buy a ticket you don't win the lottery do you? And that is what he has done.

"Normally Duffy is at right-back or centre back so he doesn't really get himself in those positions, he is normally defending or putting the ball in the box so when he went into midfield he found himself in new territory and did well."

In a positive second half Tisdale introduced Richard Logan, Stuart Fleetwood and Alex Russell from the bench and Stewart praised the impact of the subs, who were vital after the energy-sapping experience of two games in three days.

"It was very tough playing two games in three days and it was all about energy today and giving all you've got for as long as you could. So it was obvious the bench was going to be useful," he said.

"Stanno has a great work rate and for him to put in two 90 minute performances given the way he plays is nearly impossible.

"So we knew that someone was going to come on and change the game and I think all three subs came on and made a great contribution and did what they were supposed to do."

Richard Logan made an impact as a half-time sub