Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale praised his side as they ran out late winners over Barnet at St James Park.
With the game level at 1-1, after Kane Wilson’s goal was cancelled out by Ryan Watson in the second half, Jake Taylor stepped up in injury time to fire the Grecians to victory as City rounded off 2017 on a positive footing.
Tis said: “It’s as close to winter football as you’ll get, the pitch made it very difficult. We played against a really good side, we defended well and attacked well. We missed some chances that could’ve put the game to bed at 1-0, but it was an injury time winner with a very controlled finish from Jake Taylor.
“It wasn’t perfect, the breeze was quite strong and we played into it but it dropped at half-time. You could see from Christy Pym’s kicks that they were drifting out to the left.
“They broke on us particularly well, I thought we defended the box well and we got back into shape. You’re not going to get a perfect game, it was a difficult day but we had to keep concentrating and keep connected with each other.”
Tis was also full of praise for loanee, Wilson, who impressed at right back and came up with City’s first goal when he curled the ball inside the far post with his left foot.
He continued: “We are really pleased for him, he hasn’t played regularly for us but he’s contributed and he must have felt particularly disappointed to have played on Tuesday and the game being abandoned. He’s a young boy, he’s 17-years-old and to score his first goal was a big moment for him.”
Matt Jay made his first league start of the season as Tis rotated the City XI and impressed, earning applause from the City fans following his substitution on the hour mark. The forward had a number of chances at goal but was unable to find his way past goalkeeper, Craig Ross.
He said: “He was really sharp and energetic. I’m disappointed for him that he didn’t put the ball in the net, he had three good chances, but it will come. He added some spark in and around 20 yards of Jayden Stockley.
The Grecians now turn their attentions to Newport County on New Years Day as they look to improve their form on the road in South Wales. When asked how the squad is looking, in terms of fitness, he said his players are in good shape.
“I hope so, I believe everyone is ok," Tis said. "There has been some rotation and selection and we have competition for places. Generally, we are in a good place. It’s always an unpredictable week or two, over Christmas, the abandoned game just sums that up.”