After a dominant first half display, Dan Potts' clever run and lay-off for Cornick saw the ex-Bournemouth man shoot from the edge of the box after 38 minutes – his effort deflecting past Christy Pym for the Town forward's fifth goal of the season.

The result sees the Town maintain their eight-point cushion over second placed Wycombe, as well as moving ten points clear of fourth.

Jones said: "I am really delighted. It's a great way to bounce back from the disappointment the other day, and bounce back with a clean sheet.

"I thought going forward we were excellent the other night, just defensively we were poor. Whereas today we were excellent defensively and going forward I think that's as good a performance you'll see from a League Two side in that first half – the way we moved the ball.

"A little bit more composure and we would have gone in at the break a bit more comfortable. But I have got to be honest, the way we moved the ball the way we counter attacked, I thought that was as good a performance from a League Two side as you're likely to see.

"I wouldn't say it was comfortable because I wouldn't say there was no problem whatsoever. They're a very direct side Exeter, they go into Stockley and he wins. At this level when you've got the Akinfenwas, the Stockleys and the Ameobis of the world, and all it takes is one long ball, one knock down, someone not to go with the runner, and all your 90 minutes of hard work is undone. We didn't do that today.

"It was always in the balance because it's 1-0, but I thought we were excellent. We controlled the game in possession, we were excellent. First half was so, so pleasing. We are a good side when we play like that and we thoroughly deserved the win because it should have been more."