Match report: Port Vale 0-1 Carlisle United

Port Vale 0-1 Carlisle United: Tom Pope missed a second-half penalty as the Valiants disappointingly lost at home to Carlisle United.

John Askey made six changes to his starting eleven including a third debut for returning loanee Mitch Clark. There was also a switch to a 4-4-2 formation. The Valiants started brightly with Scott Burgess going close before the visitors countered forcing Scott Brown into a good save.

On the quarter hour mark, Devante Rodney missed a golden opportunity as he headed wide when unmarked in the penalty box and on 35 mins Clark blazed over after a mazy run and the loanee was then inches away from setting up Tom Pope after a good cross. However, Carlisle were dangerous on the break and deservedly level at the break.

Four minutes after the break, Vale were awarded a penalty after David Worrall was brought down in the box. Tom Pope stepped up but his shot was well saved by Farman. Moments later, Carlisle missed a good chance to take the lead but Toure shot wide when he should have scored.

However, the visitors did take the lead when there was confusion in the Vale penalty box and Jon Mellish converted from close range. Carlisle almost doubled their lead in their next attack but Leon Legge scrambled the ball away.

The Valiants reacted by bringing on McKirdy and Conlon for Pope and Burgess but the best chance of the closing moments went to Carlisle only for Scott Brown to save one-on-one from Toure.

This was a flat Port Vale performance as the visitors took all three points. It was a disappointing result for John Askey’s side with too many players looking off the pace and few chances created in the second-half.

Full-time: Port Vale 0-1 Carlisle United