The Valiants suffer relegation from Skybet League One after a 1-0 defeat against Cardiff City in the Welsh Capital.
Jon Brady made four changes from Sunday’s goalless draw against Wigan Athletic as Rhys Walters, George Hall, Jordan Gabriel & Martin Sherif all returned for what was a must-win game for the Valiants against already promoted Cardiff City.
The hosts had the game's first opportunity after fifteen minutes when former Republic of Ireland striker Callum Robinson picked up the ball on the edge of the area before dragging an effort wide of the post.
Vale’s first opportunity of the came four minutes later when Rhys Walters broke down the right side before sending in a low cross that was dummied by Martin Sherif, the ball eventually fell to Liam Gordon, who saw his low effort blocked as he looked for the far corner.
Joe Gauci was called into action for the first time just before the half-hour mark as he got down quickly to tip Joel Colwill’s effort around the post after the Welshman did well to make space for an effort from the edge of the area.
Levi’s brother, Rubin, came close moments later as he danced his way into the Vale box before striking a low effort that was deflected agonisingly wide of the bottom corner as it crashed into the side netting.
The hosts had a golden opportunity to take the lead just after the break. Ronan Kpakio did well to keep the ball in down the right side, he hung up a cross to the back post, where Yousef Salech met it with a powerful header, but the Danish forward missed the target from ten yards out.
In the 53rd minute, Vale came close to scoring the opening goal when Liam Gordon’s cross from the left was met by Ben Garrity who powered a header towards the top corner, but Nathan Trott made an excellent save as he clawed it around the post.
Salech came close again on the hour mark when he chested down a cross from the right before volleying straight at Joe Gauci, who made a comfortable save and then did well to ensure the ball didn’t cross the line.
With twenty minutes to play, Jon Brady made a quadruple change, which included the addition of Onel Hernandez. The Cuban was straight into the action as he got down the right side and fired in a wicked low cross towards the near post; the ball was cleared as far as Jaheim Headley, who slipped at the vital time.
In the 80th minute, Cardiff City opened the scoring. Second-half substitute Chris Willock swung in a deep cross towards the back post that was met by Rubin Colwill, who headed home from close range to give his side the lead.
Three minutes before time, Vale had a great opportunity to level the scores as Hernandez broke into the box down the right side before getting to the byline abd cutting back to Ben Waine, who had the whole goal to aim at, but he missed the target from four yards.
TEAM NEWS:
Cardiff City: Nathan Trott, Gabriel Osho, (Will Fish 60’), Ruben Colwill, David Turnbull, Alex Robertson (Omari Kellyman 60’), Yousef Salech, Callum Scanlon (Joel Bagan 82’), Joel Colwill (Ryan Wintle 90+2), Ronan Kpakio, Callum Robinson (Chris Willock 60’), Dylan Lawlor.
Subs not used: Ollie Tanner, Perry NG
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Connor Hall, Jordan Gabriel (Onel Hernandez 71’), Ben Garrity, Rhys Walters, Liam Gordon (Jaheim Headley 71’), Ryan Croasdale (Jordan Shipley 84’), Martin Sherif (Ben Waine 71’), Cam Humphreys, Eli Campbell, George Hall (Ethon Archer 71’).
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Tyler Magloire.