Port Vale 3-0 AFC Wimbledon
Port Vale 3-0 AFC Wimbledon: Ashley Vincent ended a thirteen game scoreless run with his seventh and eighth goals of the season as Vale swept aside Wimbledon to open up a four point lead at the top of the League Two table.
Micky Adams named an unchanged starting line-up as the Valiants faced the Dons for the second time in twelve days.
In front of a large crowd of 5,567, Port Vale started slowly and the visitors had the better of the opening exchanges.
But Vale settled their nerves on fifteen minutes as Lee Hughes scored for the second game in succession after he converted Ryan Burge’s free-kick.
That goal sparked Vale into more life and the Valiants doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Ashley Vincent scored his first goal since November with a deflected effort that gave Sullivan no chance.
Port Vale 3-0 AFC Wimbledon
Attendance:
5,567
Scorers:
Lee Hughes, Ashley Vincent (2)
Struggling Wimbledon were proving no pushovers though and the visitors had appeals for a penalty turned down when Duffy made a challenge in the Vale box.
The second-half also started slowly and Vale brought on Ben Williamson on the hour mark to replace Lee Hughes. The move sparked Vale into life with Duffy coming close to scoring his first Vale goal.
Top scorer Tom Pope was also having a frustrating time although he did come close with an effort that hit the bar.
However, Vale stretched their lead on 70 minutes when Vincent netted his eighth goal of the season after good work from fellow winger Jennison Myrie-Williams.
The Valiants were then grateful to the reliable Chris Neal for a good save from Stacey Long. But from that point onwards, Vale were able to comfortably close the game out as they allowed subs Chris Birchall and Calvin Andrew some valuable game time.
Vale: Neal, Duffy, Purse, Chilvers, Jones, Myrie-Williams (Birchall), Loft, Burge, Vincent (Andrew) Hughes (Williamson), Pope
Subs: Johnson, Shuker, Birchall, Morsy, Yates, Williamson, Andrew