Match ends, Burton Albion 0, Port Vale 1.
BurtonBurton Albion0Port ValePort Vale1
Ryan Loft scored late on to give Port Vale a crucial 1-0 victory at Burton to end their 14-game winless run.
The striker pounced seven minutes from time to give Vale a first win of 2024 and pull themselves to within three points of League One safety.
Vale's James Wilson fired the first effort of the game into the side netting and Burton keeper Jamal Blackman had to tip Nathan Smith's goalbound header from a corner over the bar.
Albion's best moments came from Mark Helm, the midfielder agonisingly wide with a curling effort while Connor Ripley had to come out of his goal to block him after an exchange of passes with Joe Hugill.
Burton captain John Brayford poked wide early in the second half before Vale's Ben Garrity struck the post from Tom Sang's corner.
The decisive moment came on a counterattack, Loft initially crossing for Ethan Chislett and, when the striker's shot bounced back off the post, he was there to smash the ball in from close range.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Burton
Formation 5-3-2
- 30Blackman
- 37HamerBooked at 74mins
- 46NsialaBooked at 28minsSubstituted forHughesat 85'minutes
- 2BrayfordSubstituted forScottat 84'minutes
- 6Sweeney
- 3Seddon
- 4Oshilaja
- 7Powell
- 17Helm
- 11BennettSubstituted forKamwaat 65'minutes
- 44HugillSubstituted forHudlinat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Hughes
- 8Harper
- 13Kean
- 15Hudlin
- 18Kamwa
- 21Carayol
- 38Scott
Port Vale
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 1Ripley
- 27Debrah
- 6Smith
- 17Iacovitti
- 14Ojo
- 21Plant
- 10Chislett
- 8Garrity
- 15GrantSubstituted forSangat 53'minutes
- 29WilsonSubstituted forMasseyat 75'minutes
- 9Loft
Substitutes
- 4Sang
- 5Lopata
- 13Leutwiler
- 16Lowe
- 19Massey
- 20Weir
- 24Walters
- Referee:
- David Rock
- Attendance:
- 3,757
Match Stats
Home TeamBurtonAway TeamPort Vale
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away5
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burton Albion 0, Port Vale 1.
Post update
Ben Garrity (Port Vale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Adedeji Oshilaja (Burton Albion).
Post update
Foul by Ryan Loft (Port Vale).
Post update
Ryan Sweeney (Burton Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Loft (Port Vale) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Loft (Port Vale).
Post update
Joe Powell (Burton Albion) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Corner, Burton Albion. Conceded by Tom Sang.
Post update
Foul by Gavin Massey (Port Vale).
Post update
Thomas Hamer (Burton Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match (Port Vale).
Substitution
Substitution, Burton Albion. Sam Hughes replaces Aristote Nsiala.
Substitution
Substitution, Burton Albion. Dylan Scott replaces John Brayford.
Goal!
Goal! Burton Albion 0, Port Vale 1. Ryan Loft (Port Vale) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the high centre of the goal following a fast break.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ethan Chislett (Port Vale) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Loft.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ethan Chislett (Port Vale) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alex Iacovitti.
Post update
Attempt saved. Tom Sang (Port Vale) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Comments
Join the conversation
Why go to Lourdes for a miracle cure when you can watch the Vale?
Not so much now, I think we're going down.
Blackman was deserving of Man of the Match, if it wasn't for him Vale would have scored a lot more.
Instead of whining, get behind Darren and support him and the players.
That's what a proper football fan would do!
Good luck Vale.
He worked so hard, was the fastest straight line runner in the Vale team and put his body all over the place. Tom Sang was worth 2 x Connor Grant today as well....he can start next time please DM.
Finest game I ever saw involved your club on Good Friday 1979 at Wigan.
An incredible match that had 8 goals , 5 scored i the last twenty.
I'd be seriously worried if I was a Burton fan.
Rumour has it that a relieved and delighted Carol will present him with a medal of some description before next Friday's home game.
I think Carlisle and Fleetwood ( unless they do a houdini act ) will be relegated. Because of Moore, I would add Port Vale to this list. Cheltenham still have a chance but MUST start getting wins again...