Match Analysis: Preston 3-2 Port Vale
The Valiants came agonisingly close to grabbing a point against Preston but despite two late goals, Vale lost out in a five goal thriller at Deepdale.
The Valiants came agonisingly close to grabbing a point against Preston but despite two late goals, Vale lost out in a five goal thriller at Deepdale.
Gavin Tomlin (right) and sub Jordan Hugill scored in the final twenty minutes but it proved to be too little, too late for the Valiants, who will leave Deepdale with their heads held high.
Liam Chilvers kept his place in defence with Chris Robertson on the bench, Chris Shuker came in for Anthony Griffith and the returning Chris Neal and development squad player Gary O’Neil made the bench.
During a decent first-half performance, Vale failed to take their chances as both Dodds and Tomlin had one-on-one chances but failed to open the scoring.
And the home side made them pay as they opened the scoring just before the break through Joe Garner.
It got worse for Vale just after the break with Paul Gallagher’s fine strike making it 2-0 after 50 minutes.
When Joe Garner made it 3-0 on the hour mark, it looked all over for the Vale although Gavin Tomlin scored his third goal in three games on 67 minutes to give the travelling fans hope.
Vale rallied after that strike with subs Myrie-Williams and Hugill both going close. And with six minutes left, Jordan Hugill headed home his second Vale goal to make it 3-2 and the chance of a comeback now on.
But despite late Vale pressure, the away side could not conjure the equaliser although they will leave Deepdale with heads held high after a stirring second-half comeback.
Vale: Johnson, Yates, Chilvers, Duffy, Dickinson, Dodds, Shuker (Williamson), Loft, Birchall (Myrie-Williams), Tomlin, Pope (Hugill)
Subs: Neal, Robertson, Lloyd, O’Neil
Attendance: 10,653 (1,136 away)