Holmes comforts under-fire

Tisdale

A LEE HOLMESinspired Exeter eased the pressure on underfire boss Paul Tisdale with a fourth away win of the season.

The Grecians looked set for another weekend in the bottom two when John Akinde put Barnet ahead on 11 minutes. But the visitors came roaring back.

Holmes teed-up Jake Taylor for a stunning equaliser just before half-time, then the leftwinger added the second himself on 51 minutes and had a hand in the visitors’ third scored by David Wheeler five minutes later.

Reuben Reid netted his first for the club with an 81stminute penalty.

Exeter are yet to win at home but only high-flying Plymouth have had more wins on the road than Tisdale’s strugglers.

The Grecians boss said: “Lee had a part to play in most things, but he also played his part in us competing, the early fight, the battle we had against a physical Barnet side.

“He was not just a luxury, he did his bit.

“I have been asked so many times about why we win away but not at home. We have have got a good group of players but we have been hamstrung in the first few weeks with injury. I have said it all before.

“But now we have players coming back. We have a good squad. I believe in them and we will be OK.”

Barnet’s physical approach caused Exeter plenty of problems early on but that is no excuse for leaving Akinde unmarked at a Ryan Watson corner to head home the opener.

The game changed with Taylor’s stunning 43rd-minute strike, as he allowed Holmes’ pass to roll across his body before thumping an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner.

A break down the right saw Wheeler find Reid in the box and the veteran striker flicked the ball out for the onrushing Holmes to slot home the second.

Wheeler slid in for the third after keeper Stephens failed to hold an Ollie Watkins shot.

The fourth was harsh on Barnet, as Mauro Vihlete’s foul on Taylor looked to be just outside the box. But Reid did not mind as he beat Stephens to his left.

Barnet boss Martin Allen said: “We did really well for the first 40 minutes. We looked very solid.

“To concede that goal just before half-time knocked our players backwards. In the second half we were poor.

“We were not challenging, tackling, competing or playing our way in the second half. We were second to the ball and now we will have to make a few changes to the team.”