CITY DISAPPOINTING AWAY DEFEAT

Exeter City fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Vale Park, as a second-half penalty gave the hosts their first win of the season, and condemned City to their third defeat in a row away from home.

Manager Matt Taylor named two changes from the side that was held to a goalless draw with Walsall at St James Park last Saturday. Danny Rose came in for the injured Sonny Cox and Vincent Harper returned in place of Lakyle Samuel.

Despite being withdrawn early on Tuesday night, deadline day signing Ajay Matthews was fit enough to be named on the bench for City.

Hosts Port Vale came into the match on the back of a tough start to the 26/27 season and no wins after five matches.

Vale got us underway on a damp afternoon in Burslem and quickly looked to take the initiative. Jaheim Headley found space down City's right and created room for a dangerous cross, but the delivery had too much pace and the Grecians were able to clear the danger.

City struggled to find their rhythm in the opening ten minutes, with Vale enjoying the better of the early exchanges. A loose pass from Gwion Edwards almost presented the hosts with an opportunity as Vale captain Ben Garrity raced 50 yards forward with the ball before winning the game's first corner. Thankfully for the Grecians, the resulting set-piece came to nothing.

The Grecians carved out their first real chance of note after 18 minutes. Charlie Cummins found himself in space down the left and cut inside before getting a shot away, but his effort was well blocked by a Vale defender.

Minutes later, City were forced onto the back foot following a quick Vale counter-attack. The move eventually fell to Jordan Gabriel, but Vinnie Harper was across sharply to make an important block.

The Grecians' best chance of the half almost arrived courtesy of some trademark Reece Cole magic. City's No.12 picked up possession 25 yards from goal, skipped beyond his marker and curled a superb effort towards the bottom corner. Jackson Smith was beaten, but the ball sailed just past the far post.

It took until the 36th minute for the hosts to create their next meaningful opening. The ball dropped to Headley on the edge of the area, and he fizzed a powerful effort narrowly wide of the post, much to City's relief.

Just three minutes later, Vale threatened again with another rapid counter through the middle. The Grecians were indebted to Ed James, who made a crucial block to divert a goal-bound effort over the bar. From the resulting corner, Kyle Dempsey's delivery evaded everyone in the penalty area and struck the City crossbar before eventually falling to safety.

City had one final opportunity before the break as Cole's dangerous inswinging corner caused problems for the Vale defence and was headed away for another set-piece. This time, Cole rolled the ball back to Jake Doyle-Hayes on the edge of the area, but the midfielder's effort sailed high over the crossbar.

City began the second half on the front foot and took the game to Vale in the first minute of the second half. A ball into the area causes a spell of pinball as Josh Gordon and Charlie Cummins attempt shots, before the ball rebounds out to Luca Woodhouse on the edge of the area, his effort balloons high and wide of Vale’s goal.

Just a minute later Ben Garrity found space down City’s left before sending in a deep cross towards Kyle Dempsey, but Vale’s No.10 could only head the ball softly down to Jack Bycroft. The chance gave the hosts a spark and they put City under sustained pressure which was released when Gabriel fired high and wide of City’s goal.

It would take until the 67th minute for Jack Bycroft to be called into action again and he got down well to push away a low goal bound effort from Kyle Dempsey. The action didn’t stop there and seconds later Vale were awarded a penalty after a coming together with Luca Woodhouse. George Byers stepped up to send Bycroft the wrong way and give Vale the lead.

City made a host of changes to try get back into the match, and a moment of brilliant skill from Josh Gordon almost achieved this as he skipped past his marker down City’s right before cutting inside and shooting, but his effort was blocked.

With just two minutes left on the clock Charlie Cummins was fouled on the edge of the box and Reece Cole stepped up to take it. His effort had the power but not the accuracy and was high over the bar of Jackson Smith.

That was as good as it got for City, who were unable to force another effort of note and would fall to their third straight away defeat in their return to League Two.

Exeter slip to 20th position with 5 points alongside Newport County, Accrington Stanley and Port Vale.

Next up is a home fixture against Tranmere Rovers next Saturday afternoon at 3.00pm.