Nathan Smith’s second half goal was enough for the Valiants to beat Scunthorpe at Vale Park.
Both sides went into the game looking for their first win of the calendar year. Darrell Clarke handed a debut to Tomas Holy in goal, Harry Charsley and Joel Cooper also made their first appearances from the bench.
The first big chance of the game fell to Vale in the 19th minute as Ben Garrity hit the far post from Chris Hussey’s low corner but no one in a white shirt was able to convert the rebound.
Seven minutes later the visitors could have taken the lead, George Taft directed his header just wide of the post, in what was a first half of few chances.
James Wilson threatened early into the second half for the Valiants when he dribbled through a number of Scunthorpe defenders, before he cut in and had his shot blocked.
Wilson then had another chance just before the hour mark, he glanced Hussey’s cross the other side of the post with a header. Moments later he turned provider as he clipped in a cross for Kian Harratt, who was also off target with his head.
The deadlock was finally broken for Vale in the 73rd minute when Smith was unmarked and bundled the ball in at the back post from Hussey’s in swinging corner.
Tyrese Sinclair had a late chance to equalise for the Iron when the ball fell to him in the area, but his shot was held by Holy. Vale remained solid at the back and comfortably saw the game out to earn all three points.
Port Vale | Holy, Walker, Hall, Smith, Worrall, Garrity, Wilson (90+1’ Cooper), Hussey, Martin, Amoo (69’ Charsley), Harratt (69’ Edmondson)
Subs not used | Jones, Hurst, Pett, Stone
Scunthorpe United | Watson, Millen (46’ Matheson), Taft, Onariase, Rowe (58’ Pugh), Wood (58’ Green), Sinclair, Feeney, Burns (69’ Beestin), Lewis, Grant
Subs not used | Collins, Hallam, Gallimore