Match report: Port Vale 2-0 AFC Wimbledon
Port Vale 2-0 Wimbledon: Michael Brown’s side earned a potentially vital home win over Wimbledon thanks to goals from Nathan Smith and Chris Eagles.
The victory moved Port Vale out of the relegation zone as results elsewhere largely went in Vale’s favour.
Port Vale manager Michael Brown made three changes to his side with Knops, Andre Bikey and Cicilia coming in for Kiko, Streete and Forrester.
The away side made a promising start with Reeves missing a good chance but it was Vale who had the game’s first clear chance as Chris Eagles hit the post with 17 minutes played. However, in an entertaining first-half, Vale did not rue that miss as defender Nathan Smith scored his fifth of the season on 21 minutes after a great cross from Eagles.
On 59 minutes it was Eagles who doubled the Vale’s lead with an excellent shot from the edge of the box. That goal knocked the wind out of Wimbledon and it was the Valiants who looked most likely to score again.
Eagles departed on 75 minutes to be replaced by the returning Anthony De Freitas. Eagles departed to a standing ovation. In the closing minutes, a tiring Rigino Cicilia was replaced by Dan Turner and Billy Reeves replaced Sam Foley as Port Vale held on to secure a potentially crucial home victory.
Full-time: Port Vale 2-0 Wimbledon
Attendance: 4,308