Match Report: Town 3 - 4 Port Vale

Nov 10 2008 By Mel Booth

Collins had a great chance to extend the lead when racing through and Vale rarely had the ball as they chased shadows for most of the time – but then it all changed.

First Andy Butler – who earlier had an effort cleared from the Vale line by Dave Brammer – dallied on a clearance and, while he appeared to be fouled by Dave Howland, referee Graham Salisbury allowed play to go on and the midfielder scored with an exquisite chip.

Six minutes later, a long diagonal ball caught Holdsworth and Clarke pushing too far up and the dangerous Dodds cracked in the equaliser.

Everyone’s thoughts turned to a replay at Vale Park, but worse was to come and there was a general sense of shock and disbelief when skipper Marc Richards curled in the winner for Vale with a 20-yard free-kick in the third minute of stoppage time.

It was a harsh lesson for Town, who have still to win back-to-back fixtures all season, but maybe those green shoots of football recovery will blossom and bear the fruit of better results in the run-up to Christmas.