Port Vale beat Mansfield Town 2-1 at Vale Park thanks to a stoppage-time winner!
Vale took control of proceedings early on and created chances. The visitors were reduced to ten men fourteen minutes in after Ryan Sweeney fouled Ruari Paton, who was through on goal.
Devante Cole gave Vale the lead shortly after half-time after he connected with a Paton cross. The Stags did level up proceedings four minutes from time through a great striker from Rhys Oates.
There was still late drama to come at Vale Park as deep into stoppage time Ronan Curtis was fouled by a Town defender in the penalty area. Curtis converted the penalty and gave Darren Moore’s side all three points.
Following the 2-0 win away at Exeter last time out Darren Moore made two changes to his starting eleven. Jordan Gabriel and Jesse Debrah came into the eleven replacing Ben Heneghan and Kyle John.
In the opposite dugout, the visitors also made two changes to their team that drew with Stevenage last Saturday. Louis Reed and George Maris made way for Aaron Lewis and Joe Gardner.
The visitors got the game underway at a rainy Vale Park, but it was the Valiants who had the first real opening with five minutes played. Gabiel was played in-behind by Croasdale before attempting to cut the ball back to Paton. However, the cut back was intercepted and gathered by Roberts.
Another chance came Vale’s way seven minutes later as Devante Cole found himself baring down on goal. Cole managed to get his shot away, but his effort was straight at Roberts in the Mansfield goal.
Two minutes later the Stags were reduced to ten men. A neat flick on from Cole released Paton who had a one-on-one with Roberts. However, Paton was hauled to the ground by last man Sweeney who was sent his marching orders.
Garrity almost gave Vale the lead after constant pressure towards the Mansfield goal. Gordon did brilliantly down the left and got his cross into the box, which was met by the captain, but his headed effort was saved again by Roberts.
It was Garrity with another big chance in first half stoppage time. Humphreys got a shot away from the edge of the box that was directed towards goal by Garrity, but Roberts once again pulled off a great save to keep the scores level at half-time.
Vale finally broke the Mansfield defence eight minutes into the second half! A wicked ball into the box from Paton was neatly put away by that man again, Devante Cole, who scored his third goal in as many games.
Mansfield levelled the game with four minutes remaining completely against the run of play. Substitute Oates cut inside on his left foot and fired home into the top corner leaving Gauci with no chance at all.
Deep into stoppage time Vale were awarded a penalty as Curtis was taken down in the area. Curtis stepped up to take the penalty in front of the Hamil and buried his it sending Roberts the wrong way!
Port Vale Starting XI: Gauci, Hall, Gabriel, Byers, Garrity, Gordon (Heneghan 78’), Paton (Hall 57’), Croasdale (Faal 46’), Debrah (Curtis 46’), Humphreys, Cole (Brown 78’)
Unused Substitutes: Marosi, Ojo
Mansfield Town Starting XI: Roberts, Knoyle, Sweeney, Lewis (Dickov 61’), Bowery (McAdam 46’), Evans, McDonnell, Blake-Tracy, Moriah-Welsh (Dwyer 83’), Gardner (McLaughlin 38’), Roberts (Oates 61’)
Unused Substitutes: Mason, Flanagan
Red Card: Sweeney 14’
