The Valiants fall to a narrow 3-2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers at Vale Park in the early Saturday kick-off.
It was a cagey start to the game with neither team having any chances of note, however deadline day signing Brandon Cover was showing his quality early on beating his man on numerous occasions.
The first goal of the game came with 15 minutes on the clock, and it was the visitors who took the lead, a ball played over the top of the Vale defence from Billy Sharp was latched onto by Rovers winger Luke Molyneux who finished calmly on the half-volley into the bottom corner.
Doncaster almost doubled their lead seven minutes later, a ball crossed in from the left-hand side was met by captain Owen Bailey, but his header flew over Connor Ripley’s crossbar.
The Valiants responded well and got the equaliser on the half hour mark, a fantastic ball from Lorent Tolaj found the feet of Ryan Croasdale who took a touch, composed himself and slotted the ball past the on-rushing Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
HALF-TIME: PORT VALE 1-1 DONCASTER ROVERS
Darren Moore made one change during the break with Ronan Curtis making his way off the field for Benecio Baker- Boaitey.
Doncaster started the second half in lightning quick style regaining the lead within forty seconds. Connor Ripley made a fine save, but the ball feel loose and was kept alive, pulled back across the six-yard box and put home by experienced striker Billy Sharp.
Ten minutes later Port Vale came close to drawing the game level again, Sam Hart’s whipped ball across the box was met by Connor Hall, however his header went just wide of the post.
Rovers scored their third goal of the game with 58 minutes gone sending the travelling supporters into raptures, a defence splitting pass from Jordan Gibson found Luke Molyneux in acres of space and the winger netted his second goal of the game.
The Vale didn’t give up though and were pushing to get themselves back into the game. A cross from substitute Benicio was misjudged by the Rovers keeper which enabled Jayden Stockley to get a header on goal, but his effort was cleared off the line by a retreating Doncaster defender.
The visitors had a great chance to add their fourth of the game, Ephraim Yeboah was played through on the left wing and managed to get a shot away only for it to be saved by Connor Ripley and behind for a corner.
With five minutes to play Vale were handed a lifeline when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after Jayden Stockley was wrestled to the floor. The resulting penalty was converted expertly into the top corner by Ethan Chislett.
Vale came so close to finding the equaliser deep into injury, a wicked ball into the box from Benicio was almost put into his own net by Jay McGrath, however the ball fell kindly into the Rovers keeper’s hands.
FULL-TIME: PORT VALE 2-3 DONCASTER ROVES
PORT VALE STARTING XI: Connor Ripley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, Ben Garrity, Ronan Curtis (Benicio 46’), Ruari Paton (Jayden Stockley 61’), Ryan Croasdale, Lorent Tolaj (Ethan Chislett 61’), Kyle John, Brandon Cover (George Byers 75’), Sam Hart (Tom Sang 59’)
UNUSED SUBS: Ben Amos, Jesse Debrah,
DONCASTER ROVERS STARTING XI: Ted Sharman-Lowe, Jamie Sterry, Tom Anderson, Luke Molyneux (Joseph Olowu 90’), Jordan Gibson (Ephram Yeboah 70’), Billy Sharp (Joe Ironside 70’), Harry Clifton (Patrick Kelly 78’), Owen Bailey, Zain Westbrooke (George Broadbent 78’), Jay McGrath, Brandon Fleming
UNUSED SUBS: Ian Lawlor, Kyle Hurst,