Port Vale move into fourth place following a 1-0 win over Morecambe at Vale Park in Sky Bet League Two.
The Valiants dominated the game throughout creating numerous chances and took the lead thanks to a superb Ronan Curtis strike a minute from time.
Following Vale’s convincing 3-0 win over MK Dons last time out, Darren Moore made two changes to his starting eleven, with Tom Sang and Ryan Croasdale replacing Ben Heneghan and George Byers. Connor Hall captained the Valiants, with Ben Garrity still only fit enough to feature on the bench.
Meanwhile, Derek Adams made four changes from his side that drew 2-2 against Barrow as Rhys Williams, Ben Tollitt, David Tutonda and Callum Jones replaced Andrew Dallas, Yann Songo’o, Max Taylor and Callum Cooke. Morecambe came into this game looking to end their torrid run of seven successive away defeats.
The Valiants started brightly, however it was the visitors who had the first opportunity of the game. A ball over the Vale defence found Edwards, who appeared to be in an offside position. Edwards attempted a lob over Amos, but his effort bounced wide of the post.
Stockley did have the ball in the back of net for Vale on the ten-minute mark following a neat passage of play on the left, but the linesman’s flag was quickly raised, and the goal wouldn’t stand.
The following twenty-five minutes provided no real chances for either team, but Vale were the side looking for the opener, with the Morecambe defence blocking numerous goal-bound attempts. Stockley also had a great chance after he broke towards the penalty box and let fly towards goal, only for his effort to be straight at the goalkeeper.
With the first-half petering to a close Vale continued to push for a goal. The ball fell kindly to Curtis on the edge of the box. Curtis took aim and came within inches of giving Vale a deserved lead going into half time.
The visitors got the game back underway at Vale Park, but neither team could gain dominance since the restart, with chances seeming hard to come by.
Vale had a huge shout for a penalty with an hour gone. Stockley appeared to be dragged to the ground following a Vale corner, but the referee waved play on. Following this Morecambe countered through Jones, who ran the length of the pitch before forcing a smart save out of Amos.
Pushing for the opening goal, the gaffer made a double change. Captain Ben Garrity and Rico Richards entered the game for Rhys Walters and Mitch Clark.
Fifteen minutes from time Vale came close again. A long throw from Kyle John caused problems in the Morecambe box, before the ball was cleared to Sang. The right back got a left footed shot away, only for it to go over the crossbar.
Vale were very much the only side looking for a goal and came within a matter of inches of taking the lead ten minutes from time. Following a ball into the Morecambe box, Croasdale found the ball at his feet and got his shot away, only for it to cannon back off the post and Morecambe survive another attack.
The breakthrough finally came for Vale as the game ticked towards full time. A defensive mix up presented the ball to Richards who laid the ball onto Curtis. Curtis took aim from twenty-five yards and found the bottom left corner with a sublime strike, sending Vale Park into mayhem!
Following seven minutes of added time, the referee brought the game to a close and Vale took all three points moving them into fourth place.
Next up for the Valiants is a home game against Barrow on Tuesday evening (7:30pm).
Port Vale: Amos, Clark (Richards 66’- Smith 93’), Hall ©, Stockley, Curtis, Croasdale, Tolaj (Hackford 93’), Sang, Debrah, John, Walters (Garrity 66’)
Subs not used: Broome, Umolu, Harper
Booked: Hall, Curtis
Morecambe: Burgoyne, Lewis (63’ Songo’o), White, Stott ©, Edwards (Slew 70’), Angol, Williams, Tollitt (Gardner 84’), Millen, Tutonda, Jones (Cooke 84’)
Subs not used: Hope, Dallas, Dackers
Booked: Tutonda, Williams, Angol
