Port Vale 3-1 Mansfield Town: Kian Harratt proves to be the key man as Valiants win six pointer
Supersub Kian Harratt scored twice as the Valiants came from behind to defeat play-off rivals Mansfield Town 3-1 at Vale Park.
Andy Crosby named the same starting eleven that defeated Crawley Town at the weekend but it was the visitors who started the brighter.
There were half chances for Wilson and Garrity before Mansfield scored after a good break. Rhyss Oates was too quick for Aaron Martin and he rounded Aidan Stone to score on 22 minutes.
Vale countered as Tom Pett drove wide from a Chris Hussey free-kick and then the Valiants drew level when James Wilson broke on the left-hand side and his shot went under Mansfield keeper Bishop to make it all-square on 32 minutes.
Wilson could have made it two when he was sent clear by a great ball by Jamie Proctor but he was flagged offside as he found the net.
Half-time: Port Vale 1-1 Mansfield Town
The Valiants had a great chance in the early stages of the second period when Chris Hussey’s cross was headed to Harry Charsley by James Wilson but his effort was blocked by a Mansfield defender. Vale then had claims for a penalty when Proctor appeared to be held in the area when clean through.
However, opponents Mansfield remained dangerous and Aidan Stone produced a fine save from close range to deny Lapsie.
With fifteen minutes to go, sub Kian Harratt’s appearance proved decisive as Jamie Proctor found the youngster in the box and he forced the ball home to prompt delight on and off the pitch.
Mansfield came within inches of equalising when Nathan Smith’s attempted clearance rattled the woodwork but moments later, Harratt made the game safe. Once again it was Jamie Proctor who provided the assist, finding the striker unmarked in the box and he made no mistake.
This was a vital win for the Valiants and enhances their chances of a play-off place. There were stand-out performances by Wilson, Proctor and Worrall but it was supersub Harratt, with his clinical precision, who grabbed the headlines.
Full-time: Port Vale 3-1 Mansfield Town
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Match stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall, Pett, Charsley (Walker, Garrity, Hussey (Benning); Wilson (Harratt), Proctor
Subs: Holy, Amoo, Edmondson, Cooper
Port Vale bookings: Stone, Pett
Attendance: 5,223 (947 away)