Lorent Tolaj’s first half goal earns Vale all three points on the road at Meadow Lane.
The hosts started the brighter of the two sides and had the first real opportunity of the game when Kellan Gordon got to the by-line before cutting back to Dan Crowley who blazed over at the near post.
The Magpies were getting the ball wide and trying to find Alassana Jatta who was a big presence in the box. Kellan Gordon’s cross from the right was met by the big Gambian, but he could only head over.
Despite County’s pressure, it was the Vale who took the lead in the 23rd minute. Ronan Curtis got on the end of a long ball before getting to the by-line and cutting back to Lorent Tolaj who swept home his third goal of the season to send the 2000+ away fans into raptures.
Three minutes before the break, Lorent Tolaj played an excellent reverse pass into the path of Ronan Curtis who beat the keeper to the ball, but his touch around the keeper was too heavy and it went behind for a goal kick.
The hosts had enjoyed far more of the ball. However, they hadn’t really created many clear-cut chances. At the break, it was Vale who led thanks to Tolaj’s goal against the run of play.
Five minutes after the break, Ryan Croasdale committed a foul on the edge of the box to give County a free kick in a dangerous area. Sam Austin stepped up and curled his effort straight into the arms of Connor Ripley.
County were still on top and continued to push for a leveller. George Abbott’s cross from the byline was met by Jatta who forced an excellent save from Ripley who kept out the striker’s head from close range.
On the hour mark, Vale brought on Jayden Stockley to add an outlet in both boxes. In the 76th minute, this almost paid off for Vale as Stockley stooped low to meet a corner but couldn’t quite connect with the header and it was comfortably cleared.
With the visitors throwing everything at Vale, Darren Moore’s side had a great opportunity to counterattack when Rico Richards broke forward with the ball, he played Jayden Stockley In behind who saw his effort saved. The rebound fell to Ryan Croasdale whose effort was blocked before Tom Sang’s low cross was saved.
County seemed to have one way of playing and that was to get the ball wide, and then hang up a cross towards Alassana Jatta. However, were standing firm despite a barrage of cross in the last ten minutes.
As the referee indicated five minutes of added time, County continued to get crossed into the box. For the first time in a while, one of them wasn’t headed away by an Electric Lime shirt. It was met by Jacob Bedeau who headed back across goal, but Ripley moved well to save comfortably and keep us ahead.
After 98 minutes of football, the referee finally blew his full-time whistle to signal an end to the game. Vale had defended for their lives and grinded out a result after an excellent away performance at Meadow Lane.
Notts County: Alex Bass, Kellan Gordon, Jacob Badeau, Matty Platt, Dan Crowley, Sam Austin (Josh Martin 68’), Matthew Palmer (Robbie Cundy 83’), Scott Robertson (Cedwyn Scott 63’), Nicholas Tsaroulla (George Abbott 45’), Lewis MacAri, Alassana Jatta
Subs not used: Sam Slocombe, Jack Hinchy, Jevani Brown.
Port Vale: Connor Ripley, Connor Hall, Ben Garrity, Ronan Curtis (Rico Richards 60’), Ruari Paton (Jayden Stockley 60’), Ryan Croasdale, Lorent Tolaj (Tom Sang 69’), Jesse Debrah, Jack Shorrock (Ben Heneghan 60’), Kyle John (Jason Lowe 93’), Brandon Cover.
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Ethan Chislett
