Leyton Orient 0 Exeter City 1 - Match reaction

Tis proud of players' response to Carlisle defeat

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale said he was proud of his players for the way they responded to Saturday’s defeat at Carlisle United to beat Leyton Orient 1-0 away on Tuesday night.

The Grecians were leading against Carlisle – who hadn’t lost a game at home this season – with a minute to go when late goals from Shaun Miller and Charlie Wyke swung the match on its head.

And having got back from Brunton Park early on Sunday morning, City then faced the task of travelling to East London on Tuesday night with that defeat still fresh in their memory.

However, the players put in a resolute defensive display to restrict the O’s to one shot on target. And a goal from Ollie Watkins, midway through the first half, won the match for City.

“After the feeling we had on Saturday night at five to five, having played so marvelously well at Carlisle and lost in those circumstances, it made today even more special,” said Tis. 

“It is a crazy League this one. I mean three wins and three loses and the whole complexion changes. We backed ourselves tonight. We played our football in the first half and got a goal and the clean sheet will do us the world of good. 

“There were couple of bits of really good defending at the end. It was such an important game tonight and an important result for us and it just keeps us going.”

Tis also praised the supporters who travelled to both matches. There were 150 travelling fans that came to watch the defeat at Brunton Park and despite the disappointment of the loss they clapped the players at the final whistle and Tis said that made a massive difference going into Tuesday night’s game at the Matchroom Stadium.

“Let’s be honest, they must have felt as rotten as we did at five to five on Saturday and they clapped us off and that made such a difference to the players, knowing that their efforts were appreciated,” said Tis. “And they (the supporters) were here again tonight. So, well done them and I am really pleased for them.”