The Valiants will aim to celebrate Boxing Day by collecting another three points on the road today as they travel to Field Mill to take on Mansfield Town. We look back on two classic matches that the Vale have played against the Stags.

Division Two, Saturday 10th April 1993, Field Mill, Mansfield Town 0-1 Port Vale

The Vale were in second place and chasing promotion from what is now League One as they entered the fixture, whilst Mansfield on the other hand were 22nd and battling to avoid relegation.

Vale had conceded just one goal in their previous four matches on the road and proved to be a difficult side to break down in the face of pressure from the home side, who proved dangerous due to the runs of former Vale winger Gary Ford. 

In the second period the Valiants burst into action and began to attack the Stags’ goal, and their pressure laid off when they took the lead in the 58th minute through Paul Kerr, with the goal proving to be enough to secure all three points. 

At the end of the season Vale missed out on promotion, losing in the play-off final whilst Mansfield were relegated.

Mansfield Town – Pearcey, Hodson, Withe, Noteman (Wilson), Gray, Fairclough, McLoughlin (Fee), Holland, Wilkinson, Castledine, Ford. 

Port Vale – Musselwhite, Aspin, Sulley (Billing), Porter, Swann, Glover, Kent, Van der Laan, Cross, Houchen, Kerr

Sub not used – Slaven

Att. 5,078

Division Two, Saturday 5th April 2003, Field Mill, Mansfield Town 0-1 Port Vale

The game was a key one in both sides season as they were in a relegation battle, with Vale in 19th place needing points to stay away from the relegation zone as did Mansfield.

It was a tense affair, with former Vale winger Wayne Corden going close for the hosts, whilst Mark Goodlad saved well from Iyseden Christie. 

Vale hadn’t threatened Mansfield’s goal much but took the lead on the stroke of half-time when the former Liverpool midfielder John Durnin hammered home a shot from the edge of the box to send the 859 away fans wild. 

The Vale remained comfortable after the break and easily held on for the victory, a key result as the Valiants went on to avoid relegation.

Mansfield Town – Pilkington, Day, Curle, Eaton (White 77), Hassall, Curtis (McKenzie 61), Corden, Disley, Williamson, Mendes, Christie (Mitchell 66)

Subs not used – Welch, Deane

Port Vale – Goodlad, Walsh, Carragher, Collins, Clarke, Brisco, Durnin, Bridge-Wilkinson (Armstrong 74), Cummins, McPhee (Brooker 63), Littlejohn

Subs not used – Paynter, Brightwell, Molloy

Att. 4,538