THE GRECIANS’ STOCK IS RISING
EXETER boss Paul Tisdale purred over Jayden Stockley’s performance as the striker’s brilliant goal ended Notts County’s proud unbeaten home record.
The Grecians ran out 2-1 winners at Meadow Lane as goals from Jake Taylor and Stockley put them in command before half-time.
Jon Stead did hit a penalty with just over 15 minutes remaining as the Magpies fought hard against registering their first home defeat of the campaign but Exeter held firm to claim all three points..
While Tisdale was pleased with his side’s display, he singled out Stockley for particular praise.
“The defence did extremely well and from front to back, we all played as a team,” he said.
“An early goal always helps and to get a second puts you in an even better position.
“I was really pleased and I have to say, Jayden’s performplayed ance was wonderful. He had a bit of everything.
“It wasn’t just a physical presence. He linked up play really well, scored a goal, hit the bar, hit the post.
“He was shooting from everywhere by the end and was still hitting the target.
“But we all worked really, really, hard and there was not one player out there who didn’t contribute fully.”
Taylor had given Exeter the lead after just eight minutes when Dean Moxey’s shot had cannoned off the post, leaving him with the simplest of finishes.
And Stockley put them further ahead when he raced onto a diagonal long pass, charged towards goal and tucked the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The striker then hit the post and the bar as Notts battled manfully to keep the score at 2-0.
But Kevin Nolan’s side fought back admirably and they won a penalty when Shola Ameobi was bundled over by Troy ArchibaldHenville as both players challenged to meet Liam Noble free-kick, leaving Stead to fire in from 12 yards.
Noble and Nicky Hunt went close to finding an equaliser from distance but Notts failed to find the equaliser.
And Nolan was frustrated to lose such a fine record at home – they had last lost in the league to Portsmouth last April.
“It was a disappointing afternoon and it always is when you lose a game,” he said.
“But I thought the lads’ reaction in the second half was absolutely fantastic.
“I thought we totally outExeter and while we created lots of opportunities, the ball just didn’t seem to fall for us or we didn’t work the keeper well enough.
“But I did feel that the freekick which led to the first goal shouldn’t have been given. “I discussed that at the end with the referee because little decisions are just as important as the big ones.”