Tisdale feels Exeter did everything but win against Crawley

Posted Sunday, April 22, 2018 by PA

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale felt his side did little wrong as their hopes of automatic promotion were dented by Crawley Town at St James’ Park.

With Wycombe suffering a crushing home defeat to Accrington Stanley, City could have moved into the top three with a win, but despite two Jayden Stockley goals, they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in a pulsating encounter in which Crawley goalkeeper Glenn Morris pulled off several fine saves to keep Exeter at bay.

“It was a great game. We played really well and I am very proud of my team and it is very rare you see a goalkeeper have that kind of performance and I think their goalkeeper had one of those today,” Tisdale said.

“There’s not really much you can do. Our players did very little wrong, their keeper had an outstanding game, so you have to congratulate the game he had.

“We did everything, but win it today. It is a good point, we wanted three, but it was a great game and there is very little I can say to criticise that performance.

“We can’t get too up, or too down. I am talking about the dressing room and I hope that everyone takes a lead on it. There is a long way to go yet before we find out where we finish.

“Just when you think you are doing great, you are disappointed, so we have to stay level-headed because the surge of emotions doesn’t help.

“We just have to take it one game at a time. We go to Stevenage next week and we want to be in it until the last game.”

Enzio Boldewijn gave Crawley the lead only for Stockley to score either side of half-time to put Exeter in front. Josh Yorwerth headed Crawley level before Morris twice denied Stockley his hat-trick – and Exeter the win – with two breathtaking saves.

Crawley boss Harry Kewell said: “I thought we controlled it, we had to go out wide and thoroughly deserved our lead.

“There was controversy on the first goal, no one is 100 per cent sure it has gone in so I don’t know why they gave it.

“He said it has gone four or five inches over, the keeper has parried it out and it has gone sideways. I don’t understand it.

“People will say it is hard-earned point but it gave them a lift. We deserved to go 1-0 up. But the character was great and it was a well-worked set-piece for the equaliser.

“Credit to my boys because I thought they deserved more than what they got. We can cause dents here and there and we still have everything to play for.

“We have had a great year because everyone had us as second favourites for going down. These players have accepted the challenges thrown down and they play football.

“We want to finish as high as possible and if we can do that I will be very happy.”