Ephron Mason-Clarke’s first half header earned the away side all three points this evening.
Under the lights at Vale Park, it was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the ball in the opening exchanges. However, despite Peterborough’s early dominance it was Vale who had the first effort of the game. Ryan Loft received the ball down the right side of the box but his effort from the angle went over the bar.
The visitors continued to control the game and in the 13th minute they reaped their rewards when Ephron Mason-Clark’s close range header found its way into the back of the net.
Ryan Loft came close again in the 26th minute when he got on the end of Ethan Chislett’s cross, but he couldn’t direct his volley towards goal. Two minutes later, Chislett and Loft linked up well again allowing Loft to head into the path of Gavin Massey but his volley was blocked by the last Peterborough defender.
The Valiants grew into the game and came close again ten minutes before the break. Ollie Arblaster set Jason Lowe free down the right side, his low cross was met by Ben Garrity but he was unable to keep his effort down. Moments later, Funso Ojo found space on the edge of the box and took aim but Nicholas Bilokapic got down well and turned it round his post.
The Vale were pushing for a leveller but were caught on the break when Ricky-Jade Jones picked up a loose pass on halfway. The Posh forward drove into the Vale box before dragging his effort wide of the far-right post.
As the referee indicated six minutes of added time, Vale had Connor Ripley to thank for keeping them in the game. He was on hand to save Joel Randall’s low effort at his near post before getting back to his feet and throwing himself in front of Ricky-Jade Jones’s rebound to save spectacularly.
Shortly after the restart, Harrison Burrows sent in a low cross from the left, but Ripley managed to clear with his outstretched leg at the near post.
Vale’s keeper was called into action again in the 58th minute when Archie Collins won the ball in midfield and played Jones in-behind. Ripley raced off his line to close the angle and saved the effort with his legs.
In the 67th minute Vale had their best opportunity of the game when James Plant received the ball down the left side, he cut inside before shooting towards the far post, but Ronnie Edwards was there to divert the ball off the line to keep his side ahead.
The Vale continued to push for an equaliser and the inclusion of Uche Ikpeazu seemed to give them more impetus. Uche won numerous first balls to set Vale onto the attack. Funso Ojo twice forced the keeper into a save with long range efforts but the Posh backline stood firm and continued to keep Vale out.
With five minutes to go, Jason Lowe slipped Ikpeazu in-behind but his effort from the angle was comfortably cleared.
The referee indicated 10 minutes of added time and Vale kept pressing for that illusive leveller. A quickly taken corner resulted in Funso Ojo once again taking aim from the edge of the box but it was well wide.
Posh had every man behind the ball but broke when Jonson Clarke-Harris flicked on to Mason-Clark who drove into the box and found David Ajibiye but his effort was dragged wide.
Uche Ikpeazu worked one final effort for Vale as he rolled his man on the edge of the box but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
Port Vale | Connor Ripley, Kofi Balmer (Jesse Debrah 45+5’), Nathan Smith, Mitch Clark (James Plant 53’), Ben Garrity, Ryan Loft (Uche Ikpeazu 45), Ethan Chislett (Josh Thomas 53’), Funso Ojo, Jason Lowe, Ollie Arblaster (Alfie Devine 69’), Gavin Massey (Tom Sang 69’),
Subs not used: Jayson Leutwiler.
Peterborough United | Nicholas Bilokapic, Harrison Burrows ( Romoney Critchlow 83’), Ronnie Edwards, Josh Knight, Ephron Mason-Clark, Kwame Poku (David Ajiboye 62’), Joel Randall (Ryan De Havilland 76’), Ricky-Jade Jones (Zak Sturge 76’), Hector Kyprianou, Archie Collins (Jadel Katongo 41’) Peter Kioso (Jonson Clarke-Harris 83’)
Subs not used: Fynn Talley.