Exeter manager Paul Tisdale is expecting a 'tough' play-off challenge

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale is expecting a tough challenge as they take on Lincoln City in the play-offs tomorrow.

Lincoln, who finished seventh in the League 2 table, beat Exeter 3-2 when the sides met on March 30. Asked if he could draw anything from those matches, Tisdale told the club's website: “The games are relevant because it is this season, it is the same set of managers and same set of players. 

“Yes, the games were early and late in the season but it is still the same season and we have had two matches against them now and we have both seen each other throughout the season.

“So we have both got a lot to go on. It will be a challenge for both of us to make sure we try and get our best game on the pitch.

“I think both sets of management teams will be looking at their research and trying to get that into their players to make an advantage and create a win. They will be a tough nut to crack and we are expecting a really tough game.”

The Grecians just missed out on automatic promotion in League Two this season, finishing fourth in the table, behind Wycombe. However, Tisdale says the players have now drawn a line under that and are looking forward to the play-off games.

“We were after automatic promotion but we have just missed out and now we have got a second bit of the cherry,” he said. “We are ready for it and it makes the season worthwhile if you get that chance at the end to play for promotion.

“The line has been drawn (on automatic promotion), whether it is easy, difficult or emotionally draining that is all in your mind.

“What has happened is we have drawn that line and we are now into a double game against Lincoln City and I think we have got as good a chance as anybody. We are looking at the next two games. That is what it is all about, nothing more, nothing less. We are not getting ahead of ourselves. We have just got to try and come out on top.”