Port Vale suffered their third league defeat in a row and they failed to score for the third consecutive game.

Vale lined-up in a 4-4-2 formation with John McCombe handed the captain’s armband. Into the side came Chilvers and Morsy for the suspended Griffith and Roberts.

The home side dominated early on and went agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Duffy’s shot went wide.

Then Vale came more into the game as Rigg went close for Vale after being set up by Pope and the Valiants had claims for a penalty turned down when Pope appeared to be brought down in the box.

Vale reached the half-time interval with the game goalless and no doubt pleased that their depleted team had more than held their own against one of the division;s form teams.

In the second-half Cheltenham had a penalty claim of their own when Louis Dodds tripped a Robins player in the box and Daryl Duffy made no mistake from the spot.

The home side came close to doubling their lead through Summerfield and Vale had a chance through Dodds before the home side doubled his lead.

Tomlinson should have done better with the cross but the ball travelled to the far post where Summerfield converted. The home side nearly made it three moments later when Mohamed’s shot shaved the post.

Vale threw sub Clayton McDonald upfront but to little avail as the home side held firm to record another loss for Micky Adams’ side.

Vale: Tomlinson, Yates, McCombe, Chilvers, Collins (McDonald), Rigg (Kozluk), Loft (Lloyd), Morsy, Taylor, Pope, Dodds

Subs: Martin, Roe