Exeter manager Neil McNab refused to abandon his footballing principles despite seeing his side slip closer to the Conference with defeat at promotion-chasing Bournemouth.
Bournemouth striker Derek Holmes celebrated his return to the starting line-up after a six-month absence by firing the home team in front in the 35th minute with his fourth goal of the season.
Exeter goalkeeper Kevin Miller did brilliantly on the hour mark to prevent Northern Ireland striker Warren Feeney extending the advantage when he denied him from the penalty spot after the striker had been fouled by Scott Hiley.
But substitute Gareth O'Connor was introduced into the action in the 78th minute and sealed Bournemouth's third successive home win just 90 seconds later with his first touch.
O'Connor raced on to a loose ball before sending a low shot past Miller and into the bottom left hand corner via a post to leave Exeter with just three wins from their last 22 league games.
But McNab said: "I'm going to keep on playing football because I don't know of any other way.
"We're not going to just start lumping it. I never did that as a player and I'm not going to resort to doing that as a manager even if it costs me my job.
"I was pleased with my players' attitude and commitment and the penalty was a joke and I told the linesman exactly that." Exeter strikers Sean Devine and Steve Flack forced early saves from Bournemouth goalkeeper Neil Moss but the visitors were always struggling once Holmes had opened the scoring in the 35th minute after being set up by James Hayter.
Devine was unlucky not to level the scores just seconds after the restart when his deflected shot flew inches wide of the right hand post with Moss beaten.
But Bournemouth looked the more threatening going forward and Feeney, Brian Stock and Marcus Browning all went close to scoring further goals.
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