Exeter still on top after beating Port Vale

Exeter stayed on top of Sky Bet League Two following a comfortable 2-0 win over Port Vale at St James Park.

Exeter dominated the first half, but for all their possession, they struggled to break down a well-drilled Vale defence.

Ben Seymour, making his first start in the Football League, had Exeter’s best chance, but he toe-poked the ball wide from 18 yards, while Tom Parkes saw a header cleared off the line.

Vale only really got going after the break, with Adam Crookes firing high over the bar after a quickly taken Vale free-kick, while Pierce Sweeney saw another shot blocked by Vale’s stubborn backline.

Exeetr came close in the 66th minute when a Nicky Law corner was cleared against their own post by a Valiants defender and Ryan Bowman and Sweeney saw follow-up shots blocked.

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 81st minute when a Lee Martin shot was spilled by Scott Brown and Bowman reacted quickest to head into the net.

Exeter made it 2-0 in the 89th minute when Randell Williams crossed low and Martin got a shot away which deflected off Kieran Kennedy and went into the net.