Our Port Vale fans' panel have their say on the defeat at Exeter.

Phil Sherwin, from Burslem: "Overall we were well beaten. The penalty in the first minute knocked us out of our stride for a while. It was one of those fouls you normally get away with.

"Apart from Tom Conlon's free kick, we didn't do a lot else in the first half.

"The first goal was controversial but we couldn't argue about their second, it was superb. We fought back a bit but overall weren't good enough and didn't have enough up front.

"Players who have been good lately weren't up to it today. We've had a good run and the good thing is at least this isn't vital. The bottom three all lost and we are still ten points clear of the bottom two.

"So, we are almost there with just four games to go."


Rob Rhead, from May Bank: "A poor game made worse by a desperately poor refereeing performance. He started early with the debatable penalty decision. There was some pushing and shoving but if you are going to give a foul for that you're going to have to punish every instance of physical contact.

"Unfortunately referee Nield didn't carry on that way and saw nothing wrong with Exeter's Holmes clothes-lining Mitch Clark. As a result he lost any control of the game.

Cristian Montano on the ball for Port Vale at Exeter

"The Vale weren't able to come from behind for the second consecutive away match and never looked like it. Exeter had too much experience for us and Ryan Bowman used his to draw foul after foul from Kyle Howkins by not actually jumping for the ball. Exeter's second, from Boateng, was a cracker but he was given far too much room on the edge of the box. A very disappointing performance in all areas of the pitch which was in complete contrast to recent games."


Andrew Blakemore, from Denford : "Well it was poor officiating, a worldie of a strike and our lack of creativity that ended with that disappointing result today.

"When you go a goal down so early, it's going to knock your confidence and we never really recovered. Exeter didn't need to get out of second gear today.

"As we approached the second half I said 'let's hope it's not a repeat of the first,' then that goal happens. It's a top finish from Boateng who was one of the best players on the pitch, although we could have closed him down.

"Another good display from David Worrall especially in the second half but even his efforts couldn't help how disappointing this display was.

"On to the next one on Good Friday, this season can't come to a close quickly enough now."
