BURTON ALBION: Andy Corbett, Nathan Stanton, Justin Richards, Dean Lyness, Luke Rooney, Jordan Chapell, Billy KeeSUBS:Stuart Tomlinson, Zander Diamond, Cleveland Taylor, Robbiw Weir, Calvin Zola, Damien McCrory, Matt Paterson, Jacques Maghoma, Anthony O’Connor, Lee Bell, Rob Kieman.
PORT VALE: Adam Yates, Sam Johnson, Joe Davis, Ben Williamson, Kingsley James, Ryan Lloyd, Ryan BurgeSUBS:Chris Neal, Rob Taylor, John McCombe, Louis Dodds, Jennison Myrie-Willams, Ashley Vincent, Tom Pope, Clayton McDonald, Chris Shuker, Sam Morsy, Richard Duffy.
Attendance:3,975 including 2,192 visiting supporters
Sam Morsy returned to the Vale starting line-up after serving a one-match suspension. Darren Murphy was the man to make way, but he was not allocated a place on the Vale bench.
The first chance of the game went o Louis Dodds after a great knock on from Tom Pope. Dodds found himself in a one-on-one situation with Stuart Tomlinson, but shot straight at the former Vale ‘keeper.
There was a chance for Sam Morsy moments later following a one-two with Tom Pope inside the box, but again Tomlinson was able to make a comfortable save.
Pope was then involved at the other end when he threw himself in the way of a shot from Matt Paterson, who looked odds on to put the home side in front.
Vale were forced to endure a spell of pressure as the Brewers pushed forward in search of an opening goal, with Calvin Zola proving a handful for the Vale defence.
Vale held on before starting to cause one or two problems of their own once again at the other end, but neither ‘keeper was being tested.
minute like he was playing in the garden with the kids.thWhen he was called upon, Chris Neal looked as calm as anybody on the pitch. He held a powerful header from Zola in the 27
Vale were struggling to make their mark on the game. The home side had clearly done their homework and were successfully cutting out the supply to top scorer Tom Pope.
Richard Duffy sustained an injury right at the end of the first half and had to be helped off the pitch after the other players had gone up the tunnel for the half time interval.
The defender was unable to take any further part in the match and his place was taken by Adam Yates at the beginning of the second half.
Vale began the second half with a little more urgency and Dodds wasn’t too far off the mark with a shot which dropped just over Tomlinson’s crossbar.
The home side continued to threaten, however, causing the visitors to do a bit more defending than they have been used to recently.
Vale needed a bit more quality on the ball when they managed to get into theBurtonhalf of the field if they were to go on and claim maximum points from the game.
minute with Micky Adams making a tactical change, taking off Chris Shuker and sending on Ben Williamson.thVale made a second substitution in the 68
Sam Morsy ran the length of the pitch following aBurtoncorner kick but his shot was saved at the second attempt by Tomlinson.
hit the ball hi over Chris Neal into the top corner of the net just minutes after coming off the bench for his debut.JORDAN CHAPELLThe home side went up the other end and took the lead with 73 minutes on the clock when substitute
turned into the net from close range.BEN WILLIAMSONTwo minutes later Vale were level when Myrie-Williams scampered down the left before putting in a low cross which
Stuart Tomlinson took a knock as Williamson fired home and was substituted before play resumed. He was replaced by Dean Lyness.
Vale were soon forced to concentrate on their defensive duties again before making their third and final change – Joe Davis replacing a limping Clayton McDonald.
It was Vale who were doing all of the pressing late on in the game and they were given a few more minutes to find a winner when the fourth official indicated that there was to be 8 minutes of stoppage time.
Play switched from one end to the other in a nail-biting finish to the game but in the end Vale had to settle for a single point.