Match report: Port Vale 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
Dan Turner’s third goal was not enough as Vale threw away a goal advantage thanks to a terrible second-half performance.
Manager Michael Brown made a number of changes including a debut for keeper Kelle Roos.
In midfield Anthony De Freitas impressed early on and Vale largely bossed the early stages although once again they were unable to create clear goalscoring opportunities. However, good work from Tyler Denton and Tom Pope set up youngster Dan Turner to open the scoring on 21 minutes and end Vale’s long scoring drought.
Vale were now well on top but their momentum was halted by an injury to the referee and the home side went into the interval just the solitary goal ahead.
The opposition began the second-half brighter and Vale faded as Rovers took charge of the second-half. On the hour mark, Brown made a bizarre switch taking on goalscorer Turner for Harness and almost immediately the visitors equalised through sub Bugiel.
Vale were looking a shadow of the side that played the first-half with players looking tired and the side lacking a goalthreat with Turner withdrawn. Michael Brown then made an equally bizarre second change with Tyler Denton, arguably one of Vale’s best players, replaced by Ben Whitfield.
It was a poor performance by both team and manager and one that keeps the pressure firmly on Michael Brown with Vale still bottom of the entire Football League.
Vale: Roos, Wilson, Smith, Anderson, Gunning, Worrall, De Freitas, Tonge, Denton (Whitfield), Turner (Harness), Pope
Subs: Boot, Davis, Kay, Reeves, Middleton
Attendance: 3,910 (101 visitors)