Tisdale hails injury-hit Exeter

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale was delighted to topple League Two leaders Bury with a 2-1 win at St James' Park.

The match was a terrific advert for the division with Exeter going in front through England Under-20 midfielder Matt Grimes, who curled in a superb free-kick. Tom Soares levelled for the Shakers, but Jimmy Keohane came off the bench to bundle home Exeter's winner seven minutes from time and chalk up their first St James Park victory of the season. "I thought it was a good game of football," Tisdale said. "They are a terrific side and they look like a League One team to me. "It was a proper game of football and we understand football. We had a chance because we knew what we were up against and how tough the game would be, but we knew what we had to do. "We made a fantastic start, but they edged back into the game and we were taking it. They were well on top in the second half and I had some thinking to do to change it. They will leave thinking they were worthy of at least a point, but I am delighted with a win. "We are on a good run and I am delighted, but we are not going to survive like this, maybe for the odd game. "I think you have to appreciate you will have between two and four players out on average per week, but we had five or six and we were down to bare bones. But we got through and managed to get the win, we are on a really good run, but I know we will be hard pushed to maintain this with so many players out each week." Bury manager David Flitcroft felt his side did enough to win two games of football, but rued their profligacy in front of goal. "We have created enough chances to win two games," he said. "I am looking at a team there that have come good in the big moments and been calm and precise on the last bit. "But we rushed opportunities so that is the disappointing aspect. We have opened them up so many times and only got one goal. The first goal is a fantastic goal to put them ahead, outstanding execution from the boy Grimes and I don't want to see too many more goals like their second one. It is a bad one to give away. "I have said to this team: 'If you can't win it, don't lose it' and we haven't been able to do that. We huffed and puffed. Our end product wasn't there. The defeat has come from us not being clinical or ruthless enough in both boxes."