Match report: Morecambe 1-0 Port Vale
Port Vale conceded their first goal and went down to their first League loss after a 1-0 defeat to Morecambe.
Port Vale manager John Askey made three changes from the side that drew against Harrogate. Nathan Smith was self-isolating so he dropped out while Zak Mills and Manny Oyeleke were both injured. In came James Gibbons, Shaun Brisley and Scott Burgess.
The Valiants started brightly with Devante Rodney looking bright again. In a first-half of few clearcut chances, Leon Legge had a powerful header saved on twenty minutes while three minutes later a superb ball from David Worrall set up Devante Rodney whose shot was well saved.
However, the home side had the best chance of the half when Stockton’s shot went narrowly wide from a corner.
Morecambe started the second-half strongly but Scott Brown made a stunning early save from Phillips who was completely unmarked on the edge of the box.
The Valiants were struggling to get a cutting edge upfront and they paid the price on 75 minutes when Brisley was adjudged to have fouled in the box. Phillips made no mistake from the resulting penalty as he beat Brown.
Askey’s side dominated possession but were unable to create any clearcut chances as they succumbed to a disappointing defeat in their fourth game of the season.
Port Vale side:
Brown – Gibbons, Legge, Brisley, Fitzpatrick – Joyce, Burgess (Whitehead), Conlon – Rodney (Amoo), Cullen (Robinson), Worrall
subs: Visser, Crookes, Montano, Pope