Match report: City 2 Port Vale 0

Two goals in the last 10 minutes gave Exeter City a deserved three points with a 2-0 win over Port Vale at St James Park.

Grecians boss Matt Taylor made three changes to the side that was held to a 2-2 draw against Leyton Orient on Saturday; Ben Seymour was rewarded with a start alongside Tom Parkes and Jayden Richardson in a rotation that saw Aaron Martin, Randell Williams and Lee Martin all drop to the bench.

Port Vale created the first opening of the game after five minutes, with Cristan Montano delivering a powerfully-hit cross to the back post to find Richie Bennett, but his effort on the volley was a comfortable save for Lewis Ward in the City goal. 

In a tight opening exchange, Jack Sparkes created City’s best chance after 18 minutes – a mazy run from the left channel culminated in a shot from the edge of the box that Scott Brown got a solid hand to just as it looked bound for the top corner.

City had the upper hand, but struggled to create clear chances with Ben Seymour’s drive after 25 minutes rolled agonisingly wide of the left-hand post. Jayden Richardson also found some joy with incisive runs down the right-wing, but Vale’s defence style stood stern.

Even when a breakthrough looked likely, it wasn’t forthcoming – Sparkes’ corner was met powerfully at the back post by Nicky Law, whose header was well saved by Brown, before Tom Parkes’ effort on the rebound was also saved.

Law would see another effort go awry as a shot from outside the box, though struck cleanly, flew over Brown’s goal five minutes before the interval, as the sides went in goalless. 

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