Port Vale 0-2 Coventry City
Rob Page lost his first league game at Vale Park as Reda Johnson and Gary Madine scored for visitors Coventry City.
Page made two changes with Daniel and McGivern coming into the side. It meant that captain Carl Dickinson moved into a defensive midfield role.
It was an even first-half with both sides having chances but Vale were furious as a number of penalty chances were turned down – notably two for Marshall and Williamson. Defender Chris Robertson also forced a fine save out of the Coventry keeper as the Valiants pushed for a goal.
It was goalless at half-time and after a sluggish start to the second period, the Valiants had further chances through Marshall and Daniel but neither could find the required finish.
On the hour mark, it was the visitors who took the lead and it was prolific left-back Reda Johnson who pounced with a header. To be fair to the visitors, they had looked dangerous throughout and had made Vale pay for their missed chances.
Rob Page introduced new signing Alex Nimely with a quarter of an hour to go while Louis Dodds was also introduced for Michael Brown. However, despite a drive from Ben Williamson, the Valiants were struggling to provide a goal threat and the visitors sealed the win in the final minute of stoppage time through Gary Madine’s breakaway goal.
It was Rob Page’s first league defeat at home since he took charge and he and his players will now need to regroup ahead of the game against Crawley.
Vale: Neal, Yates, Veseli, Robertson, McGivern (Birchall), Dickinson, Brown (Dodds), Marshall, Daniel (Nimely), N’Guessan, Williamson
Subs: Boot, Duffy, Campion, Lloyd