Port Vale slipped to defeat at the hands of Cambridge United after two quickfire goals ensured the visitors would take all three points away from Vale Park on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Sam Smith and Lloyd Jones, within seven minutes of the restart, gave the visitors a much-needed victory in their hunt for survival.

The U’s opened the scoring three minutes after half time through Smith, who bundled the ball into the back of the net after Aidan Stone saved an initial effort.

Four minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead after Jones jumped highest to flick home Conor McGrandles free kick.  

Darrell Clarke made just one change from the team that drew away at Portsmouth last weekend, with Will Forrester returning from injury in place of Mal Benning.

After his spectacular goal last week, Funso Ojo decided to try and replicate it again when he was sent through on goal after seven minutes, but unfortunately, on this occasion, his strike flew wide of the post.

As Vale continued to search for an opener, we nearly found it through Ellis Harrison in the 23^rd minute, but after leaping brilliantly to meet David Worrall’s cross, his header dipped just over the bar.

Minutes later, Shilow Tracey came within inches of firing the visitors into the lead, but his curling effort from the edge of the area flashed marginally wide.

Sammy Robinson was the next to get on the end of a Worrall’s cross, and although he produced a strong header at the back post, Will Mannion held on to it.

Moments before the break, the U’s nearly snatched an opener on the counterattack, but Jack Lankester couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Mannion was forced into action once again minutes after the interval, this time foiling Ojo from inside the area with a fantastic stop low to his left.

At the other end, Stone was forced into a strong save to prevent Cambridge from adding a third 30 minutes from time, doing well to hold on to Smith’s stinging effort.

Port Vale | Stone, Donnelly, Smith, Worrall, Conlon (53’ Butterworth), Ojo, Forrester (68’ Massey), Taylor, Harrison (53’ Wilson), Pett, Robinson

Unused Subs | Stevens, Benning, Proctor, Holden

Cambridge United | Mannion, Digby, Jones, Brophy, Smith (90+3 Ironside), Dunk (82’ Okedina), Lankester (83’ Worman), Tracey (46’ Knibbs), Bennett, McGrandles, Bennett

Unused Subs | Holden, Williams, Morrison

Attendance | 6.730 (254 away)