Neil Midgley made his first start for the Town senior team in this rather drab and bad pitch affected game at Vale Park. The Blues, missing both Jim Magilton and David Johnson, just did enough to beat a Port Vale side which looked better than their lowly position suggests.

The match started slowly and the first half saw very few chances to either side. The home team were unlucky not to take the lead when headers from successive corners came very close to breaking the deadlock. The first was brilliantly cleared from the line by John McGreal whilst the second cannoned off the bar.

Headers from Neil Midgley and Richard Naylor were the closest Town came before Matt Holland as usual scored the first goal of a Town away match with an exquisite volley from a cleared corner after 43 minutes. Town looked more impressive for the remaining couple of minutes of the half than they had previously.

The second half started much the same as the first but livened up briefly when first Vale and then Town scored. Tony Naylor was allowed to run at the right-side of the Town defence and sweetly struck home to Richard Wright's left.

A tricky half looked to be on the way until a superb Jermaine Wright cross from the right and an equally excellent James Scowcroft header saw Town back in front.

The next ten minutes or so saw Town press forward once again but the game gradually subsided. Substitute Jonas Axeldal's effort which hit the bar from close range was Town's nearest effort after this.

Mickey Stockwell came on for his 600th appearance in a Town shirt to great applause from both sets of fans and made his usual busy contribution to the game.

Not the best of performances from Town and the injured Jim Magilton and suspended David Johnson were both missed.

A break now of 11 days until the visit of Swindon. The players are off to Tenerife for a 'working holiday' before returning and looking to improve on their current third place in the division.

R Wright 7 Nothing wrong

Wilnis 5 Poor once again

McGreal 8 Looked very solid

Mowbray 8 Showed pace at least twice!

Venus 6 Dreadful passing again

Clapham 6 Not at his best

Holland 6 A few poor passes from none-too-well Matt

Wright 6 One excellent cross but still little great from Jermaine

Scowcroft 8 Playing the football of his life

Midgley 7 Did little wrong (Axeldal 77)

Naylor 6 Tricky afternoon against 6'5" Gardner (Stockwell 66, 600 up for Mickey)

Photo: Action Images

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