TISDALE REMAINS GROUNDED

although they did not have things all their own way.

Newport had some good opportunities, but were let down by wayward finishing and it was Holmes who showed them how it was done, cutting in from the right wing, before placing a low shot into the bottom corner for the only goal of the game.

“I am very pleased and 1-0 is a nice scoreline,” said Tisdale. “I asked the players to be strong defensively and we were, although I have to say that Newport played extremely well. They played some good football and had some good attacking play, but I thought we defended well and had that confidence about us that we would take a chance if it came our way and Lee Holmes did that.

“There is no point in dressing it up any differently, they had the better of the attacking play in the first half and they are no mean team. But we defended really well and if we are to be a candidate to be a successful team this year, we have to have all aspects to our game and that is what pleased me.

“We had that defensive strength and resilience. It is too early to be getting carried away, but it is a good start.”

Newport boss Michael Flynn was left to rue a disallowed goal from striker Padraig Amond in the first half, which he felt should have stood, but was chalked off for a foul on Exeter Possession 47% 53% Shots On Target 6 4 Shots Off Target 4 6 Blocked Shots 3 5 Corners 4 6 Fouls Conceded 21 9 Offsides 2 3 Yellow Cards 0 3 Red Cards 0 0 goalkeeper Christy Pym. “I am very frustrated,” said Flynn.

“It was a massive decision from the referee in the first half. He disallowed a goal and there was nothing wrong with it and we go and gift them a goal by not putting the ball out of play.

“We have come to Exeter, who lost in the play-off final last year, and we took the game to them.

“I just felt we missed too many chances in the first half. If we had taken our chances in the first half we would have won the game comfortably, but we put in a good shift.”