Port Vale 3-2 Oldham Athletic match report – Walker special keeps promotion push on track
Port Vale 3-2 Oldham Athletic – a Jamie Proctor double and a long-range winner from Brad Walker extended Vale’s unbeaten run and further strengthened their promotion push.
Interim manager Andy Crosby named an unchanged line-up with Chris Hussey returning to the bench. Vale had a strong start before Proctor put them ahead on nine minutes with a finish from inside the box.
However, the lead lasted just six minutes as the visitors levelled against the run of play through a close range finish from Christopher Missilou.
Ten minutes before the break sub Ryan Edmondson created the Valiants’ second goal, drilling the ball in for Proctor to score his twelfth of the season. However, Vale suffered a late blow when the visitors equalised in first-half stoppage time. Nicky Adams delivered the ball to the back post and Will Sutton met it, finding the unmarked Davis Keillor-Dunn for a tap-in.
Vale rallied in the second-half and the winner came when Oldham struggled to clear their lines and Brad Walker, in a central position 25 yards out, smashed in a long-range third goal.
This time there was no coming back for Latics, who threatened the Vale back line in the closing stages but could not find a way through.
It was another excellent win for Andy Crosby’s side, who have strengthened their position in the League Two promotion places.
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall (Edmondson, sub Hussey), Garrity, Walker, Charsley, Benning; Proctor, Wilson (Harratt)
Subs: Holy, Taylor, Amoo, Jones
Attendance: 8,384