Port Vale 1-2 Stevenage – Tolaj on target but late Reid double leaves Vale pointless

The Valiants are still without a League win this season after a late double from Stevenage’s Jamie Reid earned the visitors a win on Tuesday night.

First-half

Striker Lorent Tolaj netted his first of the season as the Valiants ended the half a goal to the good at Vale Park.

After the visitors kicked off, it was Vale with the early pressure as they made a positive start. The best chance saw Lorent Tolaj found in the box after four minutes, but he fired wide. More good work saw Tolaj set free but he was pulled back for an apparent foul in the box.

The visitors came more into the game and came the closest to taking the lead on 16 minutes when Reid turned well and fired the ball against the post with Marosi beaten. There was also a chance for Houghton which he drove over and a good challenge by Humphreys stopped another move.

Vale pushed again and a dangerous cross from Shipley just evaded Tolaj’s head on 27 minutes. A Shipley free-kick then caused problems minutes later. From the resulting corner, Vale came inches from scoring with Curtis’ back header just wide.

On 31 minutes, Tolaj found Gordon in the box but he couldn’t get his shot away. With Vale pushing and creating chance, Croasdale was next to miss as he headed wide.

However, Vale did find the net on 32 minutes. Tolaj was found in the box and he kept his cool to round the keeper and net from a narrow angle.

Vale nearly made it 2-0 minutes later but Mitch Clark could not apply the finishing touch.

It had been an entertaining half with the Valiants stringing some nice football together and finishing a goal ahead at the break.

Half-time: Port Vale 1-0 Stevenage

Second-half

Ben Garrity returned to action but the Valiants were to rue missed chances as Stevenage netted twice in the last two minutes of normal time to turn the game around.

Vale had the first change of the half as Tolaj, now looking full of confidence, was found. He wriggled free but his shot was saved.

There was an early warning of what was to come when Reid’s effort nearly evaded Marosi on 59 minutes following poor Vale defending.

The home side continued to have chances without taking advantage. Shipley blazed over shortly before limping off and Ryan Croasdale saw another curling effort saved.

Funso Ojo was the next midfielder to pick up a knock with Vale using five subs on the night including a return for skipper Ben Garrity.

However, it was no fairytale return. Vale had failed to capitalise on their chances and were to regret it on 88 minutes when Reid was inexplicably left unmarked in the box and he fired powerfully home to level the scores. It would get even worse two minutes later. Reid produced a superb finish to win the game.

A shellshocked Vale tried to counter with the best chance falling to Faal who headed straight at the keeper – but to no avail.

As the final whistle went, it was Stevenage celebrating their 100% record and Vale wondering how they’d managed to snatchdefeat from the jaws of victory.

Full-time: Port Vale 1-2 Stevenage