James Wilson's first half strike earns the Valiants a win to clinch a Play-Off Semi-Final place against already promoted Exeter

The hosts started the better of the two sides and their early pressure was almost rewarded when Matt Jay did well to tackle Tom Pett in the Vale half on eight minutes and tried an effort outside the area but if flew over Aidan Stone’s bar.

Jay was definitely Exeter’s biggest threat in the early stages as he had two headers on target in a matter of minutes just after the quarter hour mark. The first was brilliantly saved by Stone who managed to tip the ball away from danger. One minute later Jay had another from a free-kick but this one safely rolled into the arms of the Vale stopper.

But after all of those chances were missed by the Grecians, the Valiants made them pay with their first effort on goal. Ben Garrity started the move by playing a superb ball to Connor Hall who played a cross into the box first time to Jamie Proctor who headed the ball to James Wilson and he produced a great strike into the left side of the net, curling the ball past Cameron Dawson in the Exeter City goal.

Exeter came close to levelling one minute before the break when Cheick Diabate climbed highest from a free-kick but his header just went wide as the Valiants ended the half in front.

The first chance of the second half fell our way, a corner was whipped in by substitute Mal Benning which found the head of Connor Hall but his looping header dropped wide of the post.

Wilson almost got his second on 80 minutes after Proctor did exceptionally well to hold the ball up and play Wilson through but his shot was well saved by Dawson.

Jake Caprice had two quick efforts at goal to try and put Exeter level but neither effort were hard for Stone to handle.

Wilson came so close to sealing the victory but an effort inside the area but his effort just went over.

Despite the miss we confirmed our playoff place with an excellent win over already promoted Exeter thanks to some Valiant defending throughout the 90 minutes.

Exeter City | Dawson, Caprice, Stubbs (46’ Grounds), Jay (56’ Nombe), Collins, Key, Dieng, Zanzala (70’ Amond), J. Brown, Sweeney, Diabate

Subs not used | S. Brown, Sparkes, Kite, Coley

Port Vale | Stone, Gibbons, Hall, Smith, Garrity, Wilson (90+2’ Harratt), Proctor, Hussey (27’ Benning), Martin, Pett, Edmondson (61’ Taylor)

Subs not used | Covolan, Worrall, Amoo, Robinson