Mitch Pinnock and Shaun McWilliams score as Vale succumb to defeat on the road at Northampton Town.
The hosts had the first opportunity of the game after just two minutes when Sam Hoskins met a deep cross with a powerful volley, but it was well over the crossbar.
A minute later, Vale had their first effort of the game. Ryan Loft received the ball in the box before setting up Ethan Chislett who forced a good save from Lee Burge in the Cobblers' goal.
In the 19th minute, Chislett had another effort saved by Burge. The Vale midfielder took advantage of a defensive error before cutting inside and shooting towards the bottom corner, forcing Burge to palm away. From the following throw-in, Alex Iacovitti thundered a loose ball over.
After a fairly even first half an hour, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 34th minute when Mitch Pinnock latched onto a through ball before driving into the box and slotting home past Connor Ripley.
Five minutes from the break, Vale had another good opportunity when Iacovitti flicked Jesse Debrah’s long throw into the path of Ben Garrity but he could only head over the bar from 10 yards out.
The Valiants had the first opportunity of the second half when Debrah’s long throw was flicked on by Garrity, who did well to win the header, which fell nicely for Nathan Smith who could only fire wide on the turn.
Fifteen minutes from time, Vale had their best opportunity of the game as Uche Ikpeazu got on the end of a loose ball. He shrugged off the defender before racing towards goal. However, he was thwarted by the on-rushing Lee Burge who saved well with his legs.
Darren Moore made five subs to try and salvage something from the game as Vale launched balls into the box, but it just wasn’t falling to a sky-blue shirt.
As we entered five minutes of added time, Vale threw everything at the Cobblers' backline but were ultimately caught on the break in the 94th minute. Tyreece Simpson raced onto a ball over the top and as he bared down on goal, he squared it to Shaun McWilliams who slotted home into the back of the net to seal the points for his side.
TEAM NEWS
Northampton Town | Lee Burge, Aaron McGowan (Akin Odimayo 79’), Jon Guthrie ©, Sam Sherring, Sam Hoksins (Jack Sowerby 67’), Ben Fox (Shaun McWilliams 67’), Louis Appere (Tyreece Simpson 67’), Mitch Pinnock, Kieron Bowie, Marc Leonard, Liam Moore (Manny Monthe 45’)
Subs not used: Tony Springett, Louie Moulden
Port Vale | Connor Ripley, Tom Sang, Nathan Smith ©, Ben Garrity, Ryan Loft (Uche Ikpeazu 57’), Ethan Chislett (Jensen Weir 45’), Funso Ojo, Alex Iacovitti, James Plant (Conor Grant 45’), Baylee Dipepa (Rhys Walters 73’), Jesse Debrah (Gavin Massey 57’)
Subs not used: Jayson Leutwiler, Jason Lowe.
