Match Analysis: Port Vale 0-1 Rochdale
Port Vale disappointingly crashed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after a home defeat to Rochdale. Read our match report.
The Valiants exited the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with a whimper after a poor home performance against Rochdale. The League Two visitors progressed to the third round thanks to a first-half goal from Joe Rafferty.
Stand-in boss Rob Page made three changes bringing in Dodds, Myrie-Williams and Dan Jones for Birchall, Griffith and Chilvers. But it was the visitors who started the brightest as Vale struggled to get into the game.
Rochdale duly took the lead on 40 minutes as Rafferty scored and Vale rarely looked likely to equalise as the visitors’ defence closed out the game and Dale progressed to the next stage of the competition.
For Vale, it was a disappointing exit to the only competition the side had a realistic chance of winning.
Vale: Neal, Yates, Robertson, Dickinson, Jones, Myrie-Williams, Loft, Lines, Dodds (Birchall), Williamson (Hughes), Pope
Subs: Johnson, Duffy, Griffith