Paul Tisdale felt that Saturday's 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers finally buried the ghost of defeat to Morecambe on the opening day of Exeter City's 2012-13 campaign.
Hopes were high that the Grecians would start last season well after being handed a home game against a team tipped to struggle, but a calamitous defensive performance led to the Grecians being turned over 3-0 on their own patch.
There was no such repeat on Saturday as goals from Danny Coles and Sam Parkin sandwiched an Eliot Richards strike and gave Exeter their first opening day win since the 4-1 thrashing of Altrincham in August 2007.
"I am delighted with the win because this week, we made it a focus of ours that it was all about the result," Tisdale said. "It was about a performance that led to a result and that 3-0 home defeat on the opening day to Morecambe still rankles with me.
"I wouldn't say we were soft that day, but we didn't approach the game with a toughness and today we did.
"I think our game was basic at times and I will take any criticism of our play today, which at times was forceful, but it got the desired effect. We were tough and purposeful and that allowed us to be competitive throughout.
"We looked a tough group today and that has been the focus of the week, so I am delighted with that."
Indeed, Parkin earned all the plaudits for his man of the match – and match winning – performance. It earned praise from Tisdale, who highlighted his skills set as something Exeter lacked last season.
"That performance was aided very well by Sam Parkin, who was outstanding on his debut. He really had a terrific game," Tisdale said. "Other than the goal, of course, which is a major part of any game, his overall performance allowed us to get up the field and keep the ball in the opposition's half and he offered a real challenge to the Rovers defenders.
"I don't want to ask too much of him too soon, but he certainly showed today that he is capable of playing a game for us that is going to be very, very important.
"I think, if we look at our home form last year, I didn't have that option. I don't think we have to play that way every time, but we were set with the way we would play today against a Bristol Rovers team that beat us twice last year. II think we had to have a certain type of mentality about us and I am very happy with how we did."
One surprise in Tisdale's team selection was his decision to play Jordan Moore-Taylor at right-back with many expecting Aaron Dawson to be handed the chance to impress. Moore-Taylor played well, despite being left-footed, but Tisdale insists his place is by no means guaranteed just yet.
"What I am going to do is put that position up for grabs," Tisdale said. "No one has really grabbed it and Jordan has gone in and played today and we got a win, so it was a step in the right direction for him.
"Aaron's not lost it, he played there pre-season, he's not grabbed it and Jordan has to grab it if it's there, but the opportunity is there for these players to take that position.
"It's a must for us this season because with the limitations on signing players, one of our players has to take it."
