WHEN Exeter City were playing well and there was talk of making a push for the play-offs, their good form was built around a solid backline.

The names of goalkeeper Joe Whitworth and defenders Pierce Sweeney, Tristan Crama and Johnly Yfeko were the first on the team sheet and they certainly provided the Grecians with a defensive base on which to build performances.

Losing all three central defenders has certainly been a tough pill to swallow and it was no surprise to see the Grecians struggle in their absence. It meant manager Gary Caldwell had to rebuild his entire backline, but he did that in January with the acquisitions of Alex Hartridge, who returned to the club on loan from Wycombe, the experienced 32-year-old Angus MacDonald, signed on a free from Aberdeen and the promising 22-year-old Ed Turns from Brighton & Hove Albion.

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All three played together for the first time in Tuesday’s goalless draw at Reading and suggested that after a season of chopping and changing to his backline, Caldwell may have found a formula that works – and one he can rely on for the remaining 14 games of the League One season.

MacDonald and Turns made their debuts in the FA Cup draw with Nottingham Forest, but Turns’ joy turned to despair when he was sent off for a late tackle on Morgan Gibbs-White. It wasn’t malicious or intentional by any means, but it meant he had to miss the next three games.

Suspension over, Turns showed just why he was brought to St James Park with an outstanding display at Reading and he is keen to make up for lost time alongside his fellow new recruits.

“It’s been a frustrating few weeks, obviously getting sent off isn’t an ideal way to make your debut, but I felt like I got back out there and I did what I know I can do and kept the clean sheet,” he said. “It was nice to go back out there again after three or so weeks.

“Obviously playing with Angus, him in the middle and me on the right, was good. He’s a big lad, experienced and he helps us a lot. I think I’ve already got a good connection with him because we played against Forest and it was good playing next time him, even though I was on the left.

“Al is the same - very experienced - and all three of us were solid. We worked well, headed, kicked it and played out when we needed to. I thought we played really well.”

The only thing lacking on Tuesday night was a goal, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. It was City’s best display - and by some distance – in a long time, but the challenge now is to replicate it at St James Park. Easier said than done when the manager says there are issues with the playing surface.

“It’s a tough place to go. Reading are a good side and we knew it was going to be a tough game going into it and we knew we would have to fight and dig in, which we did. Everyone really did their jobs, the subs that came on did as well, and like I said, the back five really put a good shift in and the clean sheet was deserved.

“Overall, I’d say it was a really positive performance, we just didn’t get that goal that we deserved. We carried out the game plan that the Gaffer set us up for and obviously, if we just look after ourselves, like we did, then that’s the most important thing.

“We had the chances, but what’s important is that we get in those positions. We could have scored a few, but didn’t and I am sure the boys that missed those chances will score on Saturday and go and get us a win. But being in position is the most important thing and creating chances is positive all round.

“A clean sheet is something to build on going forward, it was positive and I think we just attack those (last 14 games) with everything we have got, like we did at Reading.”

Over 400 Exeter fans made the journey up the M5 /M4 and showed their appreciation for the players’ efforts at full-time. “They were top and going over to clap them at the end of the game, I felt that it was a really good performance for them,” Turns added. “Obviously they travelled a long way and they deserved that because they were top and pushed us through right to the end.”