Match report: Port Vale 0, Aldershot 0
Port Vale 0
Aldershot 0
by Steve Shaw
PORT Vale have dishonoured their Burslem home for much of this season with a string of defeats ... but they deserved more than a point against the Shots.
Only League Two rivals Macclesfield can match Vale's record of 11 home defeats, while no other side in the division has lost more times on their travels than Aldershot with 14 defeats.
The stats meant a stalemate was probably inevitable as Dean Glover's men earned a seventh clean sheet of the campaign.
But after more than shading the contest, especially in the second period, they would have been disappointed not to have made up for October's 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
A 0-0 home draw against a team of the calibre of Aldershot is hardly likely to set pulses racing in the Mother Town.
But following Saturday's encouraging 1-1 draw against promotion contenders Bury, the shoots of recovery may just be starting to emerge.
It's just a shame more than 2,000 presumably disillusioned absent season-ticket holders weren't present to witness a performance that rare combined attacking flair with a solid spine.
With principal skipper Marc Richards sidelined with an Achilles tendon problem, diminutive strikers Louis Dodds and James Lawrie used their determination and mobility to compensate for a lack of physical presence.
Midfielder Paul Marshall, who had his one-month loan deal extended from Manchester City yesterday, proved a sporadic threat with a left foot that will surely grace a higher stage one day.
Rob Taylor also rediscovered his best form on left flank with a number of trademark runs to trouble the visitors.
However, the woodwork and Vale's lack of killer instinct eventually conspired against them converting a positive performance into three valuable points.
Glover may have his critics, but Vale have become a more disciplined side under his leadership ... although his recently-appointed assistant, Keith Downing, must also take some credit.
In Glover's first 10 games in charge his team conceded 17 goals, while they have only shipped 11 in their previous 10.
Last night's clean sheet owed much to the performance of born-again defender John McCombe, who continued his good form with a fine display.
Chris Martin also proved he is more than capable of filling the boots of injured keeper Joe Anyon and deserved his first clean sheet in eight appearances.
McCombe has regained his consistency – and first-team place – having spent parts of the season on the fringes of the squad.
The 23-year-old centre-half said: "I thought I did quite well, although I didn't think it was my best game because I've had two or three better ones this season.
"But I feel I'm playing more consistently now and I hope I can carry that on.
"Earlier in the season I wasn't playing and I wasn't very happy about that because all I want to do is play games.
"But I'm very happy at Port Vale and it's always been a good club since I've been here.
"When you're not playing you don't enjoy it as much, but the training has been brilliant and we've got a great set of lads here. "There's a lot of potential in the squad and I think we can do a lot better than what we've shown this season."
The positive display against Bury at the weekend prompted Glover to name an unchanged squad. That meant there was no place for striker Kyle Perry, who yesterday returned from his one-month loan spell with Northwich Victoria.
Midfielder Scott Brown was out of contention after being struck down by illness.
While Vale remained positive in their approach, the visitors played their part in an entertaining clash.
Taylor enjoyed a couple of excursions down the left on two occasions in the early stages, but both of his deliveries went begging.
Marshall had a 16-yard shot blocked by Dean Howell before Aldershot midfielder Kirk Hudson's tame lob barely troubled Martin.
The Shots possessed enough pace to unsettle Vale, especially on the counter attack. When Jake Robinson broke he fed Scott Davies, who could only sky his effort over from 25 yards.
Central midfielder Dave Brammer executed a nicely weighted pass into the left channel where Dodds unleashed a side-footer which had to be palmed away by Shots keeper Nikki Bull.
On the half hour, Hudson played a one-two with Anthony Straker, but McCombe raced across to stop the midfielder in his tracks before Louie Soares blazed over.
With five minutes of the first half remaining Taylor powered past two Shots players, including Soares, but after cutting inside from the left, his misguided centre raced to safety.
McCombe's fine sliding challenge prevented Robinson from pulling the trigger from 20 yards moments later.
Bull almost gifted Vale a goal when his miss-hit clearance fell into the path of Lawrie on the edge of the area.
The teenager concentrated on accuracy, but his low drive lacked the power to beat Bull diving to his right.
The Shots stopper did even better just before half-time in tipping over Dodds's masterful long-range curler.
Both sides failed to convert half-chances at the start of the second half.
On the hour, Marshall's right-flank corner was met by McCombe at the far post, but the defender's downward header only found the arms of Bull.
Shortly after, Vale full-back Paul Edwards lost possession high up the field. The ball eventually made its way through to Hudson, but as he threatened to race clear, McCombe dived in again to avert the danger.
Vale went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute when Brammer found Lawrie on the right-side of the box.
The striker unselfishly squared to Taylor, who took a touch, but saw his shot blocked by Lewis Chalmers.
The ball fell to Marshall on the edge of the box and his rasping drive took a slight deflection on its way to crashing against the bar.
From the resulting corner Bull had to be on his toes to guide Marshall's wicked set-piece over the trembling bar.
Taylor was hacked down on the edge of the box in the 72nd minute, and from the resulting set-piece, Marshall touched the ball to Brammer whose fierce pile drive was collected by Bull.
Dodds missed a guilt-edged chance to give Vale a priceless lead in the 82nd minute.
The 22-year-old rose unchallenged to glance an eight-yard header beyond the far right-hand post after connecting with an inch-perfect cross from Edwards.
Straker out-paced Stockley in the 86th minute, but his cross was cut out by you know who....McCombe.
Robinson fired wide with minutes remaining and in the third minute of injury time the striker was denied from 16 yards by a superb diving save from Martin.
After the match Glover was keen to praise McCombe, by saying: "John has come back into the team and has done exceptionally well and has been more than consistent.
"He's getting stronger and better and I just wish he would get a little bit more aggressive in his play. He's a lovely lad to work with and his performances are spot on at the moment."
Other Port Vale stories today
Glover: We're finishing on a high
Vale secure loan repayment break
Owen returns for Staffordshire Cup tie
Comment on this story