Port Vale 1-3 Bristol Rovers – Valiants’ promotion hopes take a dent at home
Port Vale 1-3 Bristol Rovers: the Valiants’ promotion hopes were hit as they were well beaten at home by promotion rivals Bristol Rovers.
Andy Crosby brought David Worrall and Jake Taylor into his starting line-up and Vale had a flying start when the in-form Jamie Proctor converted Harry Charsley’s cross in the opening minutes to put Vale in front. It was the striker’s fifth goal in six games and thirteenth of the season.
However, that was to be the highlight of the first 45 minutes for the Vale as the visitors took control. First they levelled on ten minutes as they broke on Vale’s right flank and Elliot Anderson’s fierce drive beat Aidan Stone at the near post. Then on the half-hour mark, James Connolly converted to put the visitors in front.
Half-time: Port Vale 1-2 Bristol Rovers
The Vale failed to rally in the second period as it looked like injuries were starting to take their toll on the side. The returning duo of Jake Taylor and David Worrall were looking lacklustre, perhaps as both were not fully fit and Taylor was replaced by Dan Jones, playing out of position in midfield, with Andy Crosby’s central midfield options limited. It was to little avail as a lively albeit niggly Rovers side prevented the Valiants from playing their normal high-tempo, pressing game.
Sub Jones spurned an excellent chance to level things as he was sent clear only to send his shot wide and Rovers duly sealed a deserved win when sub Ryan Loft scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time. It was not what the season-best crowd of over 10,000 had expected as the home supporters left disappointed.
It was a poor performance by a tired looking Valiants side but it is not terminal. The side need to take it one game at a time and there is still plenty to play for, starting on Saturday with a trip to Walsall. A win against the old rivals would be very welcome.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-3 Bristol Rovers
Match stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall (Edmondson), Garrity, Charsley (Harratt), Taylor (Jones), Benning; Wilson, Proctor
Subs: Holy, Robinson, Hussey, Amoo
Port Vale bookings: Hall, Benning
Attendance: 10,840