Match report: Port Vale 0-1 Notts County
Port Vale’s goalless run stretched to four games as Michael Brown once again opted to start with one upfront. The result was a third straight home defeat and a place in the relegation zone.
Michael Brown made seven changes from the side that played Oldham in midweek but once again opted to leave Tom Pope isolated upfront.
The result was a first-half of few chances and little entertainment apart from David Worrall’s effort on 24 minutes which hit the post. Vale were struggling to provide any service to Tom Pope who was well marshalled by former Valiants Richard Duffy and Dan Jones.
The second period started brighter with a chance for Pope and a Gunning header cleared off the line. With 25 minutes left Brown finally brought on another forward in Dan Turner but the visitors took the lead almost immediately afterwards as Alessandra scored a soft goal just seconds after coming on as a sub.
Underfire Brown brought on Anthony De Freitas for Harry Middleton and Jack Stobbs for the disappointing Cristian Montano but to no avail. Even though the visitors were reduced to ten men when the unfortunate Shaun Brisley was helped off the pitch and eight minutes of injury time was awarded, Vale were still unable to equalise.
The result means the Valiants have now recorded four straight losses in the league and are now just one place off the bottom of the table.
The pressure is definitely growing on underfire manager Michael Brown.
Vale: Lainton, Davis, Kay, Smith, Gunning, Harness (Turner), Whitfield, Middleton (De Freitas), Worrall, Montano (Stobbs), Pope
Subs: Hornby, Wilson, Anderson, Denton
Attendance: 4,656 (724 away)