The Valiants are held to a goalless draw against Wigan Athletic in our penultimate home fixture of the Sky Bet League One season.
Jon Brady made four changes from Thursday night’s 3-1 victory at Peterborough United, which included returns to the Starting XI for Ben Garrity and Cameron Humphreys
The Visitors had the game's first chance inside the opening three minutes as Joe Taylor latched on to a clearance and got in-behind, but his volleyed effort was well over the crossbar. Moments later, the hosts came close again as Morgan Fox headed over following a corner from the right side.
Vale’s opening chance of the game came after a quarter of an hour when Jordan Shipley whipped a low ball across the face of goal. Ben Garrity, who was at full stretch, did well to meet it but couldn’t connect properly and his effort went well wide.
Five minutes later, Taylor came close again when he raced onto a quick free-kick before striking a low effort into the side netting from the left side of the area.
In the 22nd minute, Shipley & Garrity linked up again as Shipley’s deep free-kick was headed back across goal by Garrity but no one was on hand to turn home as the ball trickled across the face of goal.
On the half-hour mark, Wigan had their best chance of the game as Callum Wright broke down the left side before getting to the byline and cutting the ball back to Joe Taylor, but his first-time volley was straight at Gauci, who made a comfortable save.
The final chance of the first half fell to Vale as Eli Campbell’s long throw was flicked on by Connor Hall at the near post, the ball eventually fell to Liam Gordon, who saw his first-time effort go well over the bar.
After the break, Joe Taylor had another good opportunity to put his side ahead as he latched onto a loose pass before driving into the box and slicing an effort well wide of the goal from the right side of the area.
After scoring a brace last time out, Ethon Archer was full of confidence and he came close to opening the scoring on the hour mark as he cut inside from the left before arrowing a low strike towards the bottom corner, but England U21 goalkeeper Sam Tickle got down well to turn it around the post.
Tickle made another good save moments later as Ben Garrity headed Ethon Archer’s cross towards goal, but the Wigan stopper was able to comfortably hold.
Vale were pushing for the opening and came close again the 76th minute. Half-time substitute Martin Sherif got down the left side before crossing to Ryan Croasdale, who volleyed an effort well over the bar.
The Fourth Official indicated seven minutes of added time and Vale almost used to their to advantage as Ben Waine came inches away from a late winner. George Hall’s cross was met by Waine at the near post but once again Tickle was on hand to make an excellent reflex save as he turned the effort around the post.
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Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Connor Hall, Ben Garrity ©, Dajaune Brown (Martin Sherif 45’), Ethon Archer, Liam Gordon (Jaheim Headley 70’), Ryan Croasdale (Ben Waine 77’), Cameron Humphreys, Jordan Shipley (George Hall 77’) Eli Campbell, Onel Hernandez (Jordan Gabriel 67’)
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Rhys Walters.
Wigan Athletic: Sam Tickle, Morgan Fox, Will Aimson, Jensen Weir ©, Fraser Murray, Callum Wright (Christian Saydee 85’), Joe Taylor, Dara Costelloe (Ryan Trevitt 59’), Matt Smith (Harrison Bettoni 73’), Raphael Rodrigues (Joseph Hungbo 73’), James Carragher.
Subs not used: Toby Savin, Luke Robinson, Owen Moxon.