Ruari Paton’s second half free kick maintains claims all three points at the Exercise Stadium Vale’s ten-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
The hosts had the first attack of the game in the 5th minute as Toby Sims headed over at the back post following a deep cross.
Moments later, Vale broke forward as Ruari Paton drove into the Harrogate half before spotting the run of Tom Sang who saw his effort well blocked by a sliding Harrogate defender.
In the 12th minute, Vale thought they’d taken the lead when Ben Heneghan powered a header towards goal. However, Harrogate keeper James Belshaw somehow clawed the effort out from the top corner and onto the post before it was cleared away just before Paton could turn the rebound home.
Vale were playing some good stuff. Ronan Curtis, Ruari Paton and Ryan Croasdale linked up well on the edge of the box before the latter took aim, but it was well blocked by a Harrogate defender.
Vale continued to dominate the play and worked the ball nicely down the right-side allowing Tom Sang to whip in a cross that was met by Paton who headed wide of the mark.
Six minutes before the break, Vale lost possession on halfway which allowed the hosts to counter. Matty Daly drove forward with the ball before shooting low, but it was comfortable for Connor Ripley.
Vale started the second half like they ended the first, dominating possession and creating the better opportunities. In the 50th minute, Jesse Debrah found himself in on goal, as he got to the byline he crossed deep to Ronan Curtis, but his header was weak and easily cleared.
Two minutes later, Curtis’ cross from the right was cleared as far as Tom Sang who took aim but his effort whistled past the post.
In the 54th minute, Vale finally took the lead and what a goal it was! Lorent Tolaj was pulled down in the edge of the box and won his side a free kick in a dangerous position. Ruari Paton stepped up and whipped his free kick into the top corner, giving Belshaw no chance in the Harrogate goal and sending the away fans into raptures behind the goal.
After emphatically putting his side ahead, Paton came close again just moments later when he cut inside from the left before shooting straight at James Belshaw.
After going a goal down, the hosts grew into the game and came close in the 67th minute when Ellis Taylor cut inside and forced a good save from Ripley who palmed his effort around the post.
The hosts came close again ten minutes from time when Sam Folarin rose highest to meet a corner, but he headed wide of Ripley’s goal.
Moments later, Vale went up the other end and came close to doubling the lead when Jayden Stockley’s flick found Ryan Croasdale but his effort was deflected wide for a corner. From the corner, Ben Garrity headed towards goal, but it was cleared off the line before Harrogate eventually got the ball away following a scramble.
In the 87th minute Harrogate had their best chance of the game. A deep free kick was cleared as far as Ellis Taylor who sent the ball back into the box, it fell kindly for Jasper Moon who could only fire over from close range.
As we entered four minutes of added time, Vale pushed for a second and as Jayden Stockley got in behind, he teed up Ryan Croasdale who side-footed his effort over the bar and out of the ground.
In the end, Vale hung on and dug deep to grind out another away victory to make it four wins on the road in a row and ten games unbeaten in all competitions.
Harrogate Town: James Belshaw, Matty Foulds, Jasper Moon, Dean Cornelius (Josh Falkingham 84’), Matty Daly, Tony Sims (Zico Asare 84’h Anthony O’Connor, Jack Muldoon (Sam Folarin 62’), Ellis Taylor, Stephen Dooley.
Subs not used: Mark Oxley, Warren Burrell, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Stephen Dooley.
Port Vale: Connor Ripley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, Ben Garrity (C), Ronan Curtis, Ruari Paton (Jayden Stockley 65’), Brandon Cover 73’) Ryan Croasdale, Lorent Tolaj (Antwoine Hackford 65’hTom Sang, Jesse Debrah.
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Jason Lowe, Rico Richards, Benicio Baker-Boaitey