Vale have already faced rivals, Crewe Alexandra, this season in Sky Bet League Two, but the two sides face off again on Tuesday night in the Checkatrade Trophy.
It was only back in August when the Valiants last took on the Railwaymen at Vale Park, but the bragging rights went the way of David Artell’s men as they edged a tightly fought game.
Chris Dagnall fired home the decisive goal with 30 minutes played and the three points meant that Crewe extended their unbeaten run to four games.
With 11 minutes to play before half-time, Michael Tonge was then dismissed for a strong challenge on Geoge Cooper.
Despite being down to ten men, Vale battled well and Tom Pope almost levelled things on 52 minutes as he crashed a header off the bar.
Marcus Harness also had an effort cleared off the line soon after before Rekeil Pyke headed wide, but it just wasn’t to be for Michael Brown’s men as they fell to an underserved home defeat.