Walsall 2-0 Port Vale – poor defeat puts promotion hopes back in the balance
The Valiants dropped out of the automatic promotion places after a poor performance saw them lose 2-0 to old rivals Walsall.
Interim manager Andy Crosby made one change bringing the fit again Tom Pett into the midfield at the expense of Jake Taylor. James Gibbons was fit enough to make the bench.
In a scrappy opening period, James Wilson had Vale’s first chance before the home side largely took control of the opening fifteen minutes. Nevertheless, there were still chances for the Vale with a Wilson shot deflected and a Connor Hall header saved. There was also shouts for a Vale penalty as the ball appeared to be handled moments later.
However, it was a largely disjointed Vale display with none of the pressing play that had helped them surge into the top three. The home side were more than holding their own although Vale continued to have chances with a James Wilson free-kick saved and a Jamie Proctor effort over. It was honours even at the break.
Half-time: Walsall 0-0 Port Vale
Hopes were high that the Valiants would raise their game in the second period but instead the Valiants went into their shells with too many passes going astray and few chances.
Walsall were now the side pressing to take the lead with striker George Miller becoming more prominent. Good work from the forward set up Kiernan but his overhead effort went wide. However, it wasn’t too long before the Saddlers took the lead when a cross shot deceived everyone including keeper Aidan Stone and went into the net.
Vale responded with a triple substitution but to no avail. Another effort from Walsall was touched onto the woodwork by Stone while Vale had strong appeals for an equaliser when keeper Rushworth appeared to take the ball over the line from a Chris Hussey free-kick. However, the referee was unmoved.
In the dying moments, Walsall made it safe when they scored from close range to secure a double over the Valiants and give Vale’s automatic promotion hopes a huge dent. Their future either in or out of League Two is now firmly in the balance.
Full-time: Walsall 2-0 Port Vale
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Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall (Edmondson), Pett (Amoo), Garrity, Charsley, Benning (Hussey); Proctor, Wilson
Subs: Holy, Harratt, Taylor, Gibbons
Port Vale bookings: Smith
Attendance: 6,840 (2,245 away)