Port Vale 1-0 Morecambe match report – Massey strikes winner in hard-fought win
A Gavin Massey first-half effort settled a hard-fought Port Vale win against bottom of the table Morecambe who were reduced to ten man in the final moments.
Darrell Clarke brought in Gavin Massey, Lewis Cass, Rory Holden and Sam Robinson into his side as the likes of James Wilson and Dan Butterworth dropped to the bench. Fit again Funso Ojo was also among the substitutes.
In a hard-fought and gritty first forty five minutes, there were some good moments from Rory Holden but the defining moment came on 42 minutes when Morecambe struck the post only for Vale to counter. Gavin Massey beat two men before firing the ball home to give the Valiants the lead at the break.
Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Morecambe
The second period continued in much the same vein. The visitors were first to threaten with a couple of long-range efforts before Vale started pushing down the left flank with substitute Connor Hall pushing forward.
However, clear cut chances remained at a premium until the closing minutes. With Morecambe pushing for an equaliser, Vale were dangerous on the break with sub Mipu Odubeko being sent clear on two occasions. On the second, he was brought down for Love for a professional foul as Morecambe finished pointless and with ten men.
This was a hard-fought three points for Vale and although the entertainment and skill levels could have been higher, ending their recent poor run was of utmost importance and in that respect, it was mission accomplished.
Full-time: Port Vale 1-0 Morecambe
Port Vale: Stevens, Cass (Odubeko), Smith, Jones – Robinson (Hall), Garrity, Conlon (Wilson), Benning – Holden (Pett), Harrison, Massey
Subs: Stone, Ojo, Butterworth
Attendance: 7,867 (337 visitors)
Vale bookings: Benning, Conlon
Vale goal: Massey (42)