Port Vale 3-0 Burton Albion
Louis Dodds scored twice as Micky Adam’s side lifted the gloom around Vale Park with a deserved 3-0 win over Burton Albion.
Micky Adams made two changes to his starting eleven with Lee Collins replacing Clayton McDonald and Marc Richards replacing Tom Pope. Kingsley James came onto the bench as Vale were able to name five subs.
The news of Vale’s impending administration seemed to be a distraction as the game kicked off – as fans and players no doubt pondered the implications of the club’s financial crisis.
And the breakthrough came just before the break when Rigg’s effort was parried and Marc Richards followed up to make it 1-0 to the Valiants.
Vale could have doubled their lead moments later when two penalty appeals were turned down.
In the second half, Vale had efforts from Dodds and Shuker but failed to double their advantage. Then Marshall forced a good save from the Burton keeper.
And it was Dodds who finally broke the second-half deadlock as he netted the second goal with ten minutes left.
Then Dodds netted his fifth of the season as he made it 3-0 in the dying minutes to give worried Vale fans some relief from the off-the-field drama.
On an emotional night, and a match during which Valiants fans united to show their support of Port Vale FC, it was the least the club deserved.
Vale: Tomlinson, Loft, McCombe, Collins, Taylor, Rigg (Morsy), Griffith, Marshall, Shuker (James), Dodds, Richards (Pope)
Subs: Martin, Williamson
Attendance: 5,197