Match report: Port Vale 2-1 Shrewsbury Town
Port Vale 2-1 Shrewsbury: Second-half goals from Sam Foley and Ryan Taylor gave Vale a precious home victory over Shrewsbury Town.
Michael Brown made four changes to the side that lost to Northampton including a debut for goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet and a return for Ryan Taylor.
Vale made a bright start with Remie Streete hitting the post and JJ Hooper also having a chance after good work from Eagles. However, Vale suffered another injury blow when Callum Guy limped off and was replaced by Billy Reeves. Eagles set up Hooper again but the striker could only manage a tame effort on goal.
Shrewsbury rallied as the first-half came to a close and Alex Rodman went close with an effort. However, nil-nil was probably a fair score at half-time after an opening 45 minutes of few chances.
The Valiants made another change at the break with youngster Dan Turner replacing Anton Forrester. Fellow youth team graduate Reeves had the first chance of the second period but he was unable to take advantage.
However, Vale took a decisive lead just after the hour mark with two goals in quick succession. First, Sam Foley scored his first of the season with a header from a corner while Ryan Taylor buried a shot into the net for his fourth Vale goal.
The visitors immediately made a change, bringing on former Valiant Louis Dodds who then quickly found the target and showed his class by not celebrating. Dodds had another chance minutes later but could not convert.
Vale brought on Sam Kelly for the closing minutes and Shrews brought on another former Valiant in AJ Leitch-Smith but Michael Brown’s side held firm to record arguably one of their most important results of the season.
Full-time: Port Vale 2-1 Shrewsbury
Attendance: 4,629 (719 away)