Port Vale were left with nothing this Boxing Day as Grimsby Town's Wes Thomas ensured the visitors walked away with all three points here at Vale Park.

The Valiants headed into the game five unbeaten in all competitions but a second half strike from Wes Thomas was enough for Grimsby Town to end that run.

The first half offered very little for those watching on, as neither side could create anything to really trouble the goalkeepers. Scott Quigley was handed his first start of the season for the Vale, and had the best chance of the first half between both sides. 

Tom Pope laid off Mitchell Clark's cross into the box for Quigley, and his effort on goal looked destined for the back of the net. The Grimsby defenders however, ensured that the ball ended up anywhere other than their own goal, and the ball was deflected out for a corner.

Hannant whipped the corner into the box which caused all sorts of problems for Grimsby with the ball eventually falling for Oyeleke on the edge of the box. The midfielder drilled the ball towards goal, but yet again Grimsby had bodies on the line and cleared. 

With Vale looking to pick up on an average first half, Neil Aspin opted to bring on Ben Whitfield who gave the Vale a new lease of life. His direct runs at the Grimsby defence caused them all sorts of problems, and the midfielder was very unlucky not be awarded for his efforts.

After a terrific save from Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown to deny Whits, just moments later Whitfield cut inside onto his left foot and smashed the ball at goal only for it to crash against the post and out for a goal kick. 

Vale looked to have found their feet in the game and pressed for the opening goal, only to be sucker punched out of nowhere. Wes Thomas collected the ball towards the edge of the Vale box and cut inside onto his right foot. The ball just bobbled kindly for him, and his thunderous strike flew into the top corner, rewarding Grimsby for their first real effort on goal all game. Not even Scott Brown could do anything about that. 

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Vale and they failed to create anything troublesome for Grimsby. Vale came closest to an equaliser in the final few minutes, where efforts from Legge, Vassell and Whitfield in a goal mouth scramble were all dealt with by the Mariners. 

Vale will look to pick up their form once again, when they host Oldham on Saturday.