David Worrall thought that the number of injuries sustained in the build-up to yesterday’s game played a big part in the result.

The midfielder praised Exeter for their style of play and how impressive they were on the field, with their direct, attacking way of playing causing the Vale problems throughout the game.    

Worrall compared the way Exeter played to how Vale play when at home, and said they need to try and carry that style with them on the road and get results from away fixtures in the future.

The array of injuries that the Valiants had suffered going into the game, with five players missing, played a part in the result, but Worrall said that that cannot be an excuse that they just fall back on.

James Gibbons was a big miss in the eyes of Worrall who values him as the best right-back in the league, but credited Kieran Kennedy for how well he played, making his league debut and out of his natural position.

He said: “They’re [Exeter] top of the league for a reason, they have a certain style of football, and it seems a bit different from what you’re used to.

 “That’s [injuries] football, it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen to probably a few teams in the league, you’ve just got to deal with it and play the way we’ve been playing.

“You’re always going to miss a player like that [Gibbons], but we had Kieran and he did well tonight, he gave it everything and that’s all you can ask for from any of the lads in this team.”

The team have come into the season with the intention of fighting for promotion, and Worrall stated how important it is to make sure you come away with something from every game, no matter how strong the opponents are.

Everyone in the squad is aware that they need to make these changes to start picking up points away from home and Worrall remains hopeful that those changes will come soon.

The next chance for Vale to get back to winning ways is on Saturday when Mansfield Town travel to Vale Park, and Worrall is confident with how the team have been performing that they can come away with the points.

He said: “If you want to be in contention for anything this season, you want to be up there, you have to come away with a 0-0 at least.

“We know we have to change that [dropping points away] and hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.

“We know anyone, when we get them at home, we know we can go into it and win the game because that’s how we go in, in to win it.”