Adam Stansfield got two of City's four goals at Moss Rose

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale says a frank exchange of views with his players pushed them on to the 4-1 win at Macclesfield on Saturday.

City led 2-1 at half time but Tisdale was not happy with how they played.

He told BBC Radio Devon: "I told them we looked a bit sloppy and a bit messy and we weren't quite bright enough.

"I don't think the players quite liked what I said and I think I was a bit blunter than they were expecting, but it got a response."

Adam Stansfield gave the Grecians a first minute lead and Ryan Harley got the second after 35 minutes, before Adam Yeo got one back for Macclesfield on the stroke of half time.

But Tisdale's team talk seemed to have the desired effect with Stansfield getting his second just after the break with Matt Gill adding City's fourth towards the end.

"The last 10 or 15 minutes were fantastic and we got a wonderfully worked goal through the middle of the field from Matt Gill," added Tisdale.