Rochdale 1-1 Port Vale – last-gasp equaliser dents Vale’s hopes
Rochdale 1-1 Port Vale: Ben Garrity scored his eighth of the season but a last-minute Rochdale equaliser saw it end all -square on Tuesday evening.
Andy Crosby brought defender James Gibbons and Jamie Proctor into his starting eleven. The Valiants looked comfortable in possession in the opening half but did not create a clearcut opportunity until the 45th minute.
The home side did have chances for Newby and Campbell but excellent defending by Hall and Walker denied them.
The Vale then took advantage of their last chance of the half. Chris Hussey took over corner duties from James Gibbons and his excellent ball found Ben Garrity who powered his header into the net for his eighth goal of the season.
Half-time: Rochdale 0-1 Port Vale
The Valiants made a change at the break bringing on David Worrall for James Gibbons. The second-half continued in much the same fashion as the first with Vale showing impressive pressing skills and continually harrassing the home defence.
The first chance for Vale fell to Chris Hussey with a free-kick but it was saved by the keeper. There was then a shout for a penalty when Wilson looked to be felled in the box. Next to threaten was Cooper with a low drive as the home side struggled to clear their lines. As the game ended, James Wilson could have sealed it but his finish went inches wide.
The Valiants were to regret that missed chance as Rochdale went up the other end and for once the Vale failed to clear and Ball was on hand to score an equaliser with seconds remaining.
That last-gasp equaliser will be a huge blow for the Vale, who had largely controlled the game with good performances from Pett, Garrity and Hall. How costly will that late goal prove at the end of the season?
Full-time: Rochdale 1-1 Port Vale
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Match stats
Port Vale: Holy; Smith, Walker, Hall; Gibbons (Worrall), Garrity, Pett, Hussey; Wilson, Proctor (Amoo), Cooper (Charsley)
Subs: Stone, Jones, Harratt, Martin
Port Vale bookings:
Attendance: 2,667 (740 away)