On Tuesday, 299 travelling Grecians made the reasonably short trip to Deans Court at Bournemouth for the game postponed from the previous Saturday, writes Gareth Hughes.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The Cherries came to the game with an indifferent record on their own turf, having won five, lost six and drawn two of the 13 games, scoring 14 times whilst conceding 17 goals. With both teams at opposite ends of the table it will have been the home fans who were most looking forward to the game as, last week, the Cherries splashed out around £1m to lure Matt Tubbs to the club from League Two big spenders Crawley Town. Donald McDermott, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis, Wes Thomas and Scott Malone also arrived on the south coast last month as manager Lee Bradbury looks to build a side capable of challenging for promotion.

Exeter, despite their best efforts on the night, went down 2-0, succumbing, unsurprising to a debut goal from Matt Tubbs and from Scott Malone who formally signed a three-and-a half year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £150,000 in the recent transfer window.

Sidmouth based fan Ian Emerson commented after the game: “Our defence was magnificent in the first half and they had to be. Bournemouth produced an all- round superior team display and it was not unexpected that the defence ultimately gave way.”

In fairness, both sides had efforts in the opening 10 minutes with Exeter’s Daniel Nardiello drilling the ball low at the Bournemouth's keeper and Shaun MacDonald flashing over the City bar after a Tubbs lay-off.

Exeter’s 5-3-2 formation frustrated Bournemouth, and they had struggled to impose themselves against a resolute Exeter side, who had looked an equal team, albeit absorbing pressure for a goalless opening hour. The shape of the play changed dramatically with the introduction of a significant Malone, who laid on the cross for Tubbs to score, only to have Tubbs return the favour. Overall Logan and Nardiello battled away as City tried to catch Bournemouth on the break, feeding off scraps from their midfield.

There were one or two opportunities but, as has been the case in recent games, it was not to be. Exeter City director of football Steve Perryman says his side never looked like scoring a goal and the Grecians have now played 363 minutes of football without a goal and last found the net in their 2-0 win at Chesterfield on January 7. "We didn't quite look like we had it in us," Perryman said.There will be no easy games for City now, and this Saturday City play host to Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls currently occupy second place in the League 1 table with 57 points – 30 points and 17 places above the Grecians. In the same fixture last year Exeter handed out a 5-1 drubbing. Perryman continued "We've got to keep going, everyone's disappointed, but within your disappointment what can you do? You can't pack up, you can't give up, you have to go into the next game and keep going for it and keep working. You're just looking for a little something to turn your way."

●The club have confirmed an extended the loan spell of Reading striker Jake Taylor for another month. The 20-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Grecians and scored two goals during his four months in Devon. Exeter City midfielder Chris Shephard has been signed by Bath City on a month-long loan deal. Shephard broke into the Exeter first team this season.

making 15 appearances including 11 starts.

So it’s goals we need, at what a weekend this would be if the goal drought ended. In total Exeter have scored 24 goals this campaign, the lowest total in npower League One. There is no doubt it’s going to be a tough one, but we have been here before, and turned the corner. Let's all get behind the team and cheer them on. Come on you Reds.