The Valiants came into this game off the back of a heart-breaking late defeat against Sutton United last week. A very uneventful first half hour with neither team creating a great deal until the 31st minute when the visitors came close through Mark Ellis whose header from a free-kick went over the bar.

The Valiants had lost just once at home in the league before today but Barrow took the lead on 33 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick which was struck hard by Ollie Banks towards Lucas Covolan who could not keep the ball out of the net.

In the second half Darrell Clarke switched to a 4-3-3 formation in search of an equaliser. Nathan Smith had the first chance of the second half when his header from close range was saved by Paul Farman. The change in shape worked as half-time substitute Dennis Politic scored the leveller six minutes after the break. He beat his man easily before running at Farman in goal and taking it round him as he managed to squeeze the ball inside the posts from a tight angle.

Just five minutes later the Valiants took the lead through a James Jones own goal. David Worrall did brilliantly to win the ball back and run towards the by-line and powered the ball across the box which was deflected into the net off the Barrow player. On the hour mark James Wilson almost doubled the lead from outside the area but his shot on the turn was saved by Farman.

14 minutes later Tom Conlon had a chance in the area following a corner but his half volley went wide of the goal. The Valiants sealed the win with five minutes to go thanks to substitute Mal Benning. Worrall switched the ball out to the left to Benning. He took a touch and tried a screamer from 25-yards. That cannoned back off the left-hand post straight back to Benning who had an open goal to aim and made no mistake in making it 3-1.

No real threat came from Barrow in open play and they failed to create anything in the closing stages to grab a goal back.

Port Vale: Covolan, Gibbons (79’ Martin), Jones, Smith, Worrall, Garrity, Wilson, Conlon, Proctor (46’ Politic), Pett, Cass (46’ Benning)

Subs not used: Stone, Walker, Taylor, Amoo

Barrow: Farman, Brough, Ellis, Gordon, White, Jones, Gotts, Grayson (66’ Zanzala), Hutton, Banks (66’ Williams), Stevens (72’ Kay)

Subs not used: Lillis, Taylor, Zanzala, Arthur