Two goals from substitute Jimmy Keohane settled the contest but it was not until the Irishman's opener after 79 minutes that the Grecians had a shot on target against a stubborn and resilient Accrington backline.
"It's a home win and that is what it was all about," Tisdale said. "Patience comes in many forms, it's keeping your nerve as time ticks on and it is also keeping your nerve when you are in possession of the ball and when the opposition have the ball.
"We didn't get it all right but the main thing was that we were patient. The players discussed it at half-time and I said to them to stay in the game, don't give it away, don't stretch yourselves and wait for the opportunity."
On Keohane's 25-minute cameo, which produced a second goal just three minutes after his opener, Tisdale added: "If Jimmy had started then he might not have scored two. I really don't mind who scored the goals.
"I changed the side after Saturday, I wanted to give Jake Gosling a start because he has been looking very bright and he is one of our young players coming through. It is always important we give them a chance and he did extremely well for his first start.
"Then we had Jimmy coming on for 25 minutes to go with that energy. He is improving all the time and coming to terms with the tough parts and he has waded in with two goals as well and both goals were very well taken.
"I'm really pleased. It was all about the win and that is what we got."
