Valiants display all the right attributes to secure victory

PORT Vale picked up their first League One win of the season at Exeter on Saturday.

- MIKE BAGGALEY

MIKE BAGGALEY looks at the talking points from the clash in Devon...

I remember years ago writing a Vale win on the road was 'a thoroughly professional performance'.

A reader challenged me as to what this actually meant, apart from being a cliché.

They had a good point so I’ve tried to avoid using it since. But if a Vale game did fit the definition it would be this one as the players followed Darren Moore's instructions to press early in the game, got a goal from doing that, then stayed disciplined behind the ball, defied Exeter to break them down, then hit them ruthlessly on the break for the second.

A clean sheet and two goals away from home. It certainly wasn’t amateurish

EXETER AWAY

I do like Exeter away...apart from the journey obviously.

They seem a friendly club and I think there’s a decent relationship between supporters after both teams were promoted four years ago. (Apologies if I've read the mood completely wrong and I missed a riot outside while I was in the deserted stand typing up my post-match notes).