Port Vale 2-2 Cheltenham Town – Mipu off mark but Valiants suffer late disappointment

Port Vale 2-2 Cheltenham Town – the Valiants paid the price for missed chances as visitors Cheltenham snatched a late draw on Saturday afternoon.

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke brought in striker Mipo Odubeko for his League debut while Will Forrester started in defence. There was also the welcome return of key striker James Wilson as he was named on the bench.

It was a slow start by the Vale with the home side struggling to mount any pressure for the opening fifteen minutes. Cheltenham took advantage when Dan Nlundulu, took advantage of defensive errors to wriggle clear and finish confidently in the 24th minute.

However, Vale rallied as the half came to an end to take the lead through two quickfire goals. Firstly, Odubeko rose unchallenged to power an excellent cross by David Worrall into the net to put Vale level on 37 minutes. Three minutes later, with Vale pressing, Will Forrester forced the ball home to make it 2-1 to the Valiants on 40 minutes.

Half-time: Port Vale 2-1 Stockport County

The Valiants had multiple chances to put the game to bed. Mal Benning’s shot was deflected past the left post and Forrester nodded an in-swinging corner from Worrall just wide.

As the half progressed the luckless Ellis Harrison was twice unlucky not to find the mark, A good ball from Dan Jones found Harrison but his effort rattled the bar. Ben Garrity broke clear and Harrison headed just wide as Vale failed to make it 3-1.

The visitors took advantage as Vale failed to clear the ball and substitute Brown forced the ball over the line from close range in the final seconds. Vale had a last-gasp chance to equalise but sub Dan Jones was unable to convert as it ended all-square.

This was a disappointing result for the Valiants as, with due respect to Cheltenham, this is the sort of home game they really need to win. Positives were a first goal for Mipo Odubeko and a return to action for James Wilson but this was a largely disjointed performance from a side after Darrell Clarke once again made multiple changes.

Clarke has said that the side may start slowly and this certainly seems to be the case with too many players off the pace and new faces still adjusting. Let’s hope the side develops and gels over the coming weeks or this could yet be a tricky return to League One for the Valiants.

Full-time: Port Vale 2-2 Cheltenham Town