Ruben Selles’ inexperienced side fell to a 1-0 defeat to Peterborough United on the opening day, but supporters saw enough in the battling performance to be in positive spirits.

Despite dominating the first half, Ephron Mason-Clarke’s header on the stroke of half-time was all that could separate the sides at the SCL Stadium on the opening day of the League One campaign.

It was lights out and away we go at 3 pm as the Royals got their League One campaign underway with kick-off. Without a win since February, it certainly didn’t look it as the hosts dominated early proceedings. Peterborough were unable to cope with Selles’ high press and loose passes were flying all over the place from the visitors. Harvey Knibbs and Andy Carroll linked up well early on but it was the former England man’s partner, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, who was receiving all the goal chances. The youngster was freed by Andy Yiadom within 10 minutes, but the Academy star failed to properly connect, and his effort was smothered by the busy Nicholas Bilokapic.

The skipper Yiadom played a part in Posh’s first shot of the match too, losing out to Joel Randall before the winger drove a shot high over the bar. Ehibhatiomhan, the scorer of one league goal last season, was fed the ball again in a good area- this time from Femi Azeez- but the keeper again kept the hosts at bay. Growing into the game, last season’s losing play-off outfit should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark as Kwame Poku curled a delightful effort on target, but Dean Bouzanis flung himself across his line and managed to tip the goal-bound strike over the bar. However, on the stroke of half-time, it was Darren Ferguson’s men who took the lead. Ephron Mason-Clarke rose about Yiadom and directed a header into the far corner over Bouzanis. The 1500 travelling fans were celebrating again moments later as the ball hit the back of the net, but they had not seen the offside flag on the opposite side of the ground and caused some unwanted ugly scenes between both sets of supporters behind the south goal.

The second half was much more the way many supporters had predicted, with the Royals falling flat and the visitors making their experience pay. Dominating proceedings from the beginning of the second half, Ricky Jade-Jones forced Bouzanis into a good save on the hour mark. However, having said that neither side created too many clear-cut chances in a much slower-paced half. Azeez saw a good chance go begging when he quick play around the edge of the box and found its way to the makeshift forward. Unfortunately, he failed to connect well, and the keeper claimed easily. Rallying in the final 10 minutes, Carroll saw his goal bound effort blocked at source for a corner while Caylan Vickers added some energy up top.

Ultimately it was not to be for Selles and his young side, but the supporters were content with what they saw and gave the side a good reception off the field before commencing a sit-in protest against owner Dai Yongge.

With Carabao Cup action away at Millwall in midweek, Port Vale host the Royals next Saturday.