TISDALE FINDS PERFECT PAIR

PAUL TISDALE believes he has the perfect balance of youth and experience at the heart of his Exeter City midfield – despite almost 20 years separating Matt Oakley and Matt Grimes.

Grimes, 18, made his debut last week against AFC Wimbledon after progressing through the club’s academy while the vastly experienced Oakley, 36, was returning after six months out through injury.

Tisdale believes he could have unearthed a gem in Grimes and that Oakley is back to his best.

“It was an exceptional performance from both of them,” he said. “They were a revelation playing together for the first time.

“Matt was unbelievable in his first 90 minutes for six months. They played really well together and they really made it happen.”