Football basics elude Valiants as relegation worries are enhanced

WE were hoping for a party but Vale's 150th anniversary game was instead a reminder that this season is becoming one of their worst.

- Michael Baggaley

HOME LOSS: Port Vale boss Jon Brady shows his dejection at the end of the 3-1 home defeat by Exeter City.

This 3-1 defeat at home to Exeter leaves the Vale 12 points below the safety line and prompted an angry reaction from fans who booed the team off at half and full time.

‘And maybe the appearance of around 20 former players, heroes of the club's past, on the pitch before kick off was referenced by supporters who chanted ‘You're not fit to wear the shirt’ at the current team after Exeter rolled in their third.

Vale started brightly but couldn’t turn that pressure into chances and never looked like getting anything from the game once Exeter had taken the lead through Carlos Mendes Gomes’ 22nd-minute header.

Jayden Wareham hit the post with a 40-yard effort just before the break before the centre forward doubled the lead two minutes into the second half with a strike from the edge of the area.