Match Report: Burton Albion 2-0 Port Vale
Port Vale striker Uche Ikpeazu was sent-off as both sides finished with ten men at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton.
Rob Page made three changes with Richard Duffy, Michael O’Connor and Louis Dodds replacing Remie Streete, Chris Birchall and Enoch Andoh. Striker JJ Hooper made the bench.
Ikpeazu was soon attracting the attention of the referee and was booked after appearing to catch a Burton player with his elbow. Minutes later he was sent-off for diving and Vale’s backs were against the wall as they faced an hour’s play with only ten men. The ten men took it to the interval without conceding as they managed to restrict Burton despite their man advantage.
Rob Page’s side continued to be put under pressure in the second period and were grateful for some Valiant defending to prevent the home side opening the scoring. On the hour mark, Jak Alnwick produced a fine save to prevent Mark Duffy from scoring. Vale then brought on striker JJ Hooper for the tiring Daniel and moments later Burton were reduced to ten men as Weir was sent-off for a bad challenge on Foley.
In the closing stages, Vale were grateful to Anthony Grant who once again cleared off the line but with seven minutes left the home side finally found the back of the net. The goal was credited to Tom Naylor. Burton then wrapped things up in the last minute with a goal for Nasser El Khayati. There was clearly no way back for the Valiants as their poor run continued.
Vale: Alnwick, Purkiss, Duffy, McGivern, Dickinson, Grant, Foley (Lloyd), O’Connor (Leitch-Smith), Daniel (Hooper), Ikpeazu, Dodds
Subs: Johnson, Yates, Streete, Kelly
Attendance: 4,076