MONDAY 25th MARCH 1968.

Port Vale 1-0 Exeter City 

AWAY RUN ENDED.

PORT VALE 1,
Sharratt; James, Sproson; Poole, Asprey, Wilson; Mahon, Boulton, McLaren, Chapman, Cullerton,

EXETER CITY 0,
Smout; Smyth; Balson, Newman, Harvey, Huxford; Blain, Crawford, Coughlin, Curtis (Hart), Fudge.

Scorer:
Port Vale McLaren,
Attendance: 3,395.

Generally Exeter City did not play well and in the end Vale's winning margin could have been more. Again City gave away passes on the soft pitch, although after a goalless first half it looked as if they might come back with a pointExeter began the match promisingly with Dermot Curtis putting a diving header and a volleyed shot over the top, After about 20 minutes, Vale began to get on top and Cecil Smyth had to block a Cullerton shot on the line. Almost  on the stroke of half time, Mahon headed into the side netting when well placed. Vale went ahead in the 53rd minute through McLaren, A fine 25 yard shot from Jimmy Blain was well saved by Sharratt, but for the most part it was Port Vale and there were some anxious moments in the City penalty area, Both sides brought on their substitute in the last 10 minutes when City pushed forward more for a equaliser, but it never cameThis was Port Vale's first win in four games, and it broke City's run of four away games without defeat,

Match Summary 

Another disappointing game for the City. We were rather flattered by the narrow margin of Port Vale's victory, which was secured with a solitary goal from centre-forward, McLaren, in the 53rd minute. Curtis and Blain went close for the City, but the home side generally looked the more dangerous and we had a couple of lucky escapes.