City were a pale shadow of the side who won at Charlton last week and drew at Carlisle on Tuesday.
They were all over the place at the back and it was two defensive errors which led to Hartlepool taking a 2-0 half-time lead. Despite that, Tisdale was happy with his side`s performance.
"I am disappointed to lose, not so with the performance because I thought we played quite well," he said. "Scorelines can influence your feelings and emotions but I have to make sure I am not swayed by this result.
"There were mistakes but I felt we were a side full of drive and positivity and determination to win it. We didn't, but I saw some very good characteristics. We have got a game on Tuesday and we will have to bounce back."
Exeter pulled a goal back after 59 minutes following some great work by Ryan Harley who crossed for Jamie Cureton to finish with a smart volley, Tisdale added: "I thought Ryan Harley was exceptional - the best player on the pitch by a distance."
Source: PA
Source: PA