Hereford United 1-2 Port Vale
The gloom surrounding Vale Park didn’t extend to the pitch as, despite worrying recent revelations about boardroom shenanigans, goals from Adam Yates and Marc Richards sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over Hereford.
Things looked gloomy when loanee Barhuizen put the home side ahead with a brilliant effort, but two goals in the last ten minutes sealed Vale’s comeback.
Micky Adams made one change with centre-half Gareth Owen returning to replace Liam Chilvers, whose loan spell had ended.
In a largely uninspiring first thirty minutes Vale went close through Pope and Loft while the home side also had chances through Barhuizen and Arquin. Then with half-time looming, Myrie-Williams set up Pope who couldn’t find the target.
The second-half started in much the same uninspiring manner until young loanee Barhuizen opened the scoring with a wonderful lofted goal on 55 minutes.
The goal prompted a triple substitution from Micky Adams as Pope, Taylor and Madjo were replaced by Rigg, Richards and Williamson.
And on 70 minutes Richards headed just wide from Vale’s best chance of the second-half and Hereford hit back immediately with Arquin forcing Tomlinson into a good save.
Vale finally made the breakthrough on 78 minutes. Adams’ side had upped the pressure and it was full-back Yates of all people who netted for his first league goal in 98 league appearances.
Almost immediately, Vale took the lead. Myrie-Williams was brought down in the box and Marc Richards stepped up to the spot to score. It was Richards’ 66th Vale career goal.
Williamson could have added a third only for the Herefore keeper Bartlett to pull off a fine save.
Vale: Tomlinson, Yates, Owen, McCombe, Collins, Myrie-Williams, Griffith, Loft, Taylor, Madjo, Pope
Subs: Roberts, McDonald