Paul Tisdale still targeting automatic promotion - 7M sport

Paul Tisdale still targeting automatic promotion



Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2018 by PA

Paul Tisdale still targeting automatic promotion

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale was relieved his side were able to see off stiff resistance from relegation-threatened Chesterfield and keep alive their hopes of automatic promotion from League Two with a 2-1 win at St James’ Park.

Jayden Stockley’s 22nd goal of the season and an own goal by Alex Whitmore put the Grecians firmly in control before Andy Kellett set up a nervy final few minutes with Chesterfield’s consolation five minutes from time.

The win leaves Exeter two points adrift of third-placed Wycombe with three matches to go, while things look bleak for Chesterfield, who are seven points adrift of safety with four games to play.

“It was a very important win and now we focus on the next game,” Tisdale said. “I thought it was a very, very positive performance in what could have been a very difficult game.

“The balance we had in being confident to play football – and we did play some good football – and our speed to the ball and our toughness was really good.

“We didn’t take anything for granted and I would like to have kept a clean sheet to make it a less nervy final 10 minutes, but I thought the players played really well. Their mindset was just right, we weren’t over-confident or nervy. It is business time and now we go on to Saturday.

“There are three games to go and we are two points behind. It is what it is and if they win every game, we are in the play-offs. We are thinking of third and we are hot on the heels of Wycombe.

“We can do no more than win our games and if they win all of their games then fair play to them, they deserve it. We just have to be ready in case they don’t.”

Chesterfield boss Jack Lester felt his side deserved more from the game.

“We were okay in between both boxes for the majority of it, but the game is won and lost in both boxes and that has been the story in recent times,” he said.

“We need people to score goals and create goals and I was hoping we would get some of that, but we didn’t get enough securing the ball from the front two or movement in behind.

“We are giving people roles of what to do and who to take and they just weren’t done, same as last week.

“There is not a game that we haven’t tried to win and we still need to try and get three wins. It was a fantastic effort from the supporters and we must make them proud but not tonight.

“A win would kick-start a lot of things, but it is not dead. We do need that win and it has been hard to come by in recent weeks.”

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