Vale fall to a 3-1 defeat at Vale Park to Exeter City on the afternoon the club celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Despite a good start to the game, Vale found themselves behind through a Carlos Mendes Gomes header midway through the first half.
Second-half goals from Jayden Wareham and Tymur Tutierov put the visitors 3-0 up before Cam Humphreys grabbed a goal back with fifteen minutes to play.
Jon Brady made six changes to his side that fell to defeat at Mansfield last time out, with the most notable change being a Port Vale debut for new signing Ethon Archer. Devante Cole captained the side for today’s 150th anniversary game.
Following a spine-tingling rendition of The Wonder Of You, the game got underway and Vale made an electrifying start, creating chances down both flanks, but just missing the end finish on both occasions.
Despite a positive start from Jon Brady's side, the Grecians began to grow into the game and took the lead with just over twenty minutes played. A cross into the box from the right was met by Carlos Mendes Gomes, who planted his header into the corner.
Following a quiet spell in the game, the Valiants had half a chance to equal the score. A long throw-in from Jordan Gabriel fell to George Hall, who hit a first-time volley that whistled past the post.
As half-time approached, the visitors came within inches to doubling their lead. A goal kick from Joe Whitworth fell to Jayden Wareham mid-way into the Vale half. Exeter’s number nine hit a spectacular effort over Joe Gauci, but to the relief of the Vale keeper, the ball bounced onto the post and away.
Within two minutes of the second half restart, the away side doubled their lead. Jayden Wareham took control of the ball just outside the penalty area before letting fly with an effort that found Gauci’s bottom right corner.
With just over an hour to play at Vale Park, Exeter scored their third of the afternoon. A ball across the box by Jack Aitchson was put on a plate for Tymur Tutierov, who made no mistake from very close range.
As we approached the final fifteen minutes in Burslem, the Vale grabbed a goal back. A ball into the box from Dajaune Brown eventually found its way to Cameron Humphreys, and the centre half made no mistake in thundering an effort into the back of the net.
Vale came so close to grabbing another goal back in the dying stages. A free kick into the box from Ryan Croasdale was taken down and fired towards goal by Jayden Stockley. However, the forward's effort went agonisingly wide of the post with Joe Whitworth beaten.
Team News:
Port Vale: Gauci, Heneghan, Hall, Gabriel, Archer (Waine 90+4’), Ojo (Humphreys 63), Gordon (Headley 72’), Croasdale, Shipley (Stockley 63), Hall (Brown 63’), Cole ©
Unused subs: Amos, John
Exeter City: Whitworth, Fitzwater, Brierley, Medes Gomes (Tutierov 55’), Wareham (Magennis 67’), Aitchison (Cox 81’), Niskanen, Woodhouse, Sweeney ©, Doyle-Hayes (McMillan 55’), Oakes (Cole 67’)
Unused subs: Bycroft, Turns