PAUL Tisdale is confident his side have turned the corner in their battle to stave off the threat of relegation.

The Grecians were held to a goalless draw at Southend United on Saturday and remain four points adrift of safety.

But although City have not won in their last nine matches, Tisdale has seen enough encouraging signs in the last two outings to feel positive about the club's survival prospects.

"I know we have only got two points from the last two games and the gap at the bottom hasn't closed, but we are a better, stronger side than we were two weeks ago after the Stockport game," said Tisdale.

"The team will be better for the last two games and you would have to say that we have picked up our performances in those matches.

"The side has taken a bit of a battering with several injuries, suspensions and personnel changes and it has been a difficult time.

"But in the last couple of weeks we have really responded. We have got 11 games to go and that is what our focus is on. It is about what we do in those games.

"There is a long way to go yet and it is going to go to the very end."

Tisdale insists his side were unfortunate not to have picked up all three points at Roots Hall — especially as James Dunne rattled the crossbar and Adam Stansfield had a goal ruled out for off-side.

But with a home clash against Bristol Rovers on Wednesday and a trip to relegation rivals Wycombe Wanderers this weekend, Tisdale believes his side will tackle those fixtures with confidence.

"This was a really big game for both ourselves and Southend and both of us can walk away satisfied with a point," he added.

"But I thought on the whole we edged it and might have got the win.

"I thought it was a very strong performance under the circumstances.

"We had a lot of young players playing and we held our own. We shaded the attacking parts of the game.

"It gives us real food for thought going into this week and a real starting point.

"I keep saying it and I truly believe it that we haven't quite got what we have deserved.

"I jumped out of my technical area when Adam (Stansfield) scored.

"It was a fantastic shot by James Dunne and wonderful anticipation by Adam.

"That was the moment of the game and the linesman put the flag up.

"I can't legislate for a brilliant save from their keeper and the linesman giving off-side. But you can say that we played well under pressure and our football in the last quarter of the game was outstanding.

"In the end we did not have the finish but we came so close."