Barrow 1-2 Port Vale – late Martin goal puts Vale into automatic places
Barrow 1-2 Port Vale: a second-half comeback was capped by a late Aaron Martin goal as Vale continued their recent fine form with a win at Barrow.
Interim manager Andy Crosby made two changes with Martin and David Amoo coming in for Tom Pett and Ben Garrity. Fit again Jake Taylor made the bench.
The Valiants started the game well with half-chances for Amoo and Worrall before Vale’s best chance of the half when Brad Walker’s shot hit the post, then hit the keeper but somehow stayed out.
However, the home side came more into the game and started to dominate as they took control. Beadling shot just wide before Josh Kay turned Nathan Smith on 23 minutes and then beat Aidan Stone to put Barrow into the lead.
Vale were very much second-best for the remainder of the half as they struggled to get back into the game.
Half-time: Barrow 1-0 Port Vale
However, it was a different story in the second period as Vale’s class started to tell. A classy ball from Harry Charsley on 59 minutes was volleyed home by Jamie Proctor to level the scores and that heralded a purple patch for Vale where they could have easily gone ahead. Seconds later Proctor sent strike partner James Wilson clear but he shot wide with just the keeper to beat. Then sub Kian Harratt came close with an effort that was blocked.
It turned into end-to-end play and it was Vale who scored the vital second goal. James Wilson broke clear and his low cross was steered home by Aaron Martin to put the Valiants ahead with just a minute to play.
Andy Crosby’s side held firm in the closing stages as they closed out the game and took a giant stride towards being involved in the promotion picture. It was an impressive second-half display from all the side. Roll on Salford on Tuesday night…
Full-time: Barrow 1-2 Port Vale
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Match stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall (Edmondson), Charsley, Walker, Benning; Amoo (Harratt), Proctor, Wilson (Taylor)
Subs: Holy, Hurst, Robinson
Port Vale bookings: Hall, Walker
Attendance: 3,215 (575 away)