Match report: Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Port Vale (3-4 penalties)
Port Vale went out of the Football League Trophy after a limp away draw against Doncaster Rovers.
Manager Bruno Ribeiro made a number of changes including a full debut for young striker Dan Turner. The youngster was involved in the opening stages but Vale soon encountered a familiar problem with Turner isolated upfront.
A game of few chances saw Calder and Evina have shots for the home side while Sam Kelly also had a decent chance before the interval.
In the second period Vale once again enjoyed some decent possession but with no cutting edge. Ribeiro brought on Chris Mbamba but to little avail. Vale had shouts for a hand-ball on the hour mark.
In the closing stages, Vale were grateful for a fine save from Santos to keep Houghton’s effort out. Minutes later, the home side went even closer to taking the lead as a shot was deflected onto the roof of the net. Vale also had a late chance for Rigino Cicilia but he failed to take advantage and Santos again pulled off a good save in the last minute.
Mansfield’s victory against Derby County meant that the resulting penalty shootout was pointless for the Valiants as they could not qualify but for the record it went as follows…
- Doncaster scored 1-0
- Remie Streete scored 1-1
- Doncaster’s effort saved by Santos 1-1
- Anthony Grant hits the post 1-1
- Doncaster’s effort saved by Santos 1-1
- Paulo Tavares scored 2-1
- Doncaster scored 2-2
- Quentin Pereira scored 3-2
- Doncaster scored 3-3
- Sam Hart scored 4-3
Attendance: 1,495 (92 away)
Vale: Santos, Mac-Intosch, Smith, Streete, Hart, Grant, Kelly (Cicilia), Pereira, Defreitas (Tavares), Kiko (Mbamba), Turner
Subs: Boot, Haughton, Brown, Amoros
Image: Kev Walshaw (one of the 92 Vale fans present)