City narrowly beaten in League Two

Exeter City were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Port Vale at St James Park in Sky Bet League Two.

Tom Pope's first-half goal gave Vale all three points, and despite City's best efforts to get back into the match, they were unable to find the net.

The Grecians made three changes to the side that were beaten by Luton Town in midweek, as Jordan-Moore-Taylor and Hiram Boateng returned from injury and Kyle Edwards also came into the team with Craig Woodman, Jordan Tillson and Lee Holmes all replaced.

The away side created the first opportunity of the match on five minutes as Ben Whitfield looked to test Christy Pym as the wind hurled around St James Park.

After Kyle Edwards was dispossessed in the City half, Whitfield went for goal and forced a smart save from the Grecians’ goalkeeper as he held onto the ball well after diving to his right.

Danny Pugh was the next Vale player to force a stop from Pym on 13 minutes when he found himself in space on the left-hand side.

But the midfielder could only direct his effort straight at the City keeper in front of the Big Bank.

Jayden Stockley had the Grecians’ first real chance of the match on 23 minutes when he rose above everyone to meet Dean Moxey’s corner, but he could only direct his glancing header the wrong side of the Kelle Roos’ post.

Seconds later, Port Vale made the breakthrough as they burst down the right well and David Worrall squared the ball to Tom Pope in space, who finished calmly past Pym to give the away side the advantage.

Vale looked to benefit from the wind at every opportunity in the first period, and just after the half-hour mark Whitfield unleashed a powerful free-kick from distance, again forcing Pym to make a brilliant save as he tipped over.

In a combative half, which saw both sides struggle for any consistent rhythm, chances became scarcer as the sides went into the break with Neil Aspin more than likely the happier of the two managers.

Read the full match report here.