Ipswich Town 2-1 Port Vale report – better, battling performance but Vale’s winless run continues
Mal Benning gave the Valiants a shock lead at Portman Road but to no avail as the home side came back to record a home win.
Following the departure of Darrell Clarke, interim manager Andy Crosby brought in Gavin Massey and rookie James Plant and was dealt a blow as midfielder Tom Pett was ruled out through injury.
It was pretty much backs to the wall for the Valiants throughout with keeper Aidan Stone booked for time wasting as early as the half-hour mark.
However, despite the near constant pressure of the home side, Vale still had the odd chance. A Plant shot was blocked and the same player then did brilliantly to track back to stop the dangerous Broadhead.
David Worrall was sent clear from a long Stone clearance but shot wide but those chances aside it was Ipswich who were constantly pressing for the opener.
However, to some surprise and against the run of play it was Vale who scored the first. Good work from Plant saw Benning cut in and fire a left-footed shot past the keeper just before the break.
The Vale lead didn’t last long. Ipswich came out in the same mood in the second 45 and it took them eight minutes to level the scores.
Then with ten minutes left, Benning handled a cross in the box and Broadhead gave Stone no chance from the penalty to hand the home side all three points.
Despite the loss, this was a better, battling performance from the Valiants. Youngster Plant did little wrong on his full debut while Nathan Smith was his usual odorant self at the back.
Vale performance notes
A much better performance from a Vale side missing nine players through injury or suspension. Let’s hope this determination continues during Saturday’s crucial home game against Bristol Rovers!
Vale performance stats
Vale: Stone – Forrester, Smith, Donnelly – Worrall, Conlon, Butterworth (Harrison), Benning – Massey (Taylor), Wilson (Holden), Plant
Subs: Stevens, McDermott
Vale bookings: Stone, Forrester, Plant
Vale goal: Benning (45+)
Attendance: