League Two

Port Vale 0, Barnet 0

1. ​

by Steve Shaw

THE biggest winners from last night's dismal goalless draw proved to be the hundreds of season-ticket holders who chose to give this instantly-forgettable clash a wide berth.

Although more credit should be showered on the 4,500-plus crowd, including 81 Barnet fans, who braved the wintry conditions at Vale Park last night.

The home faithful were mustered into life towards of the end of first half, however, when former Stoke striker Mark Stein, and Barnet's physio, emerged from the dug-out to tend to injured midfielder Albert Adomah.

In hindsight, Steino probably wished he'd worn a tin helmet under his black beenie hat after sections of the Lorne Street and Bycars stands vented their tribal-driven fury towards him.

On the positive side, Vale returned only their second clean sheet of the season... and their first home shut-out in nine attempts.

Vale coach Ian Brightwell felt his side's lack of cutting edge, coupled with Barnet's defensive approach, contributed heavily to the outcome.

Brightwell said: "I thought we kept the ball very well at times, especially in the first half.

"They came to stifle the game and stop us from scoring and did their job well.

"We're disappointed because when we went forward we didn't create the openings that we could have done when we were in good attacking positions."

In pictures: Port Vale 0, Barnet 0

Another plus-point was the mere sight of centre-half Gareth Owen wearing Vale colours after completing his loan move, until January, from Stockport County earlier in the day.

The 26-year-old, from Blythe Bridge, produced an accomplished display on debut, utilising a simple, but effective, approach which added renewed clarity to Vale's rearguard.

While lowly Barnet rarely threatened the home side's goal, Dean Glover's back-four acquitted themselves well when called upon.

Owen's central defensive partner Lee Collins looked as assured as his more experienced team-mate, while also posing a threat in the opposition's box.

Full-backs Anthony Griffith and Paul Edwards were equally tenacious in the tackle, with the latter largely stifling the threat of the dangerous Adomah.

Meanwhile, keeper Joe Anyon had very little to do in the shot-stopping stakes, but commended his box with authority.

Vale's problem lay in their inability to break down a decidedly average Bees outfit, despite enjoying some decent possession play.

Striker Marc Richards worked manfully up front, showcasing some impressive hold-up play, but a lack of service and support in the final third severely hindered his goalscoring prospects.

An experienced creative force in central midfield is still lacking, not helped by Dave Brammer's continued absence with a knee injury.

Brammer's fitness will be assessed in the run-up to Vale's FA Cup second-round home clash with Macclesfield Town on Friday night, a day before his month's loan from League One outfit Millwall expires.

Having lined up with a 4-3-3 formation at the start of Vale's 4-2 defat at Wycombe on Saturday, Glover tinkered with his system reverting back to 4-5-1.

Loan midfielder Scott Brown and 17-year-old James Lawrie were both handed full home debuts.

Meanwhile, Louis Dodds, supporting Richards from the left flank, looked lively, but was unable to unlock the door, while his long-range shooting fell short of his usual high standards.

The Vale boss reverted to a traditional 4-4-2, matching Barnet's system, when he thrust Danny Glover into the action, on 63 minutes, replacing Lawrie.

With Glover taking his place alongside fellow striker Richards, teenager Simon Richman appeared far more assured switching from central midfield to the right flank.

Brown filled the midfield holding role and was the catalyst for many of Vale's attacks, particularly during the first half.

Barnet's attacking threat contrasted vastly to Wycombe's, who drove forward with power and purpose in netting four goals at the weekend.

Although Bees skipper Neil Bishop created some concern surging forward from the centre, while Adomah and striker John O'Flynn provided some presence in the final third.

The game had a combative feel to it in the early stages as both sides set about asserting their authority.

However, telling chances were few and far between.

Lawrie had a 25-yard effort blocked on the edge of the area on 15 minutes following good work from Edwards.

A minute later, Adomah blazed over with his own long-ranger from a central position.

Richards leaped to meet Dodds's left-flank centre in the 20th minute, only to see his tame header trickle into the hands of Bees keeper Rob Beckwith.

Soon after, Owen came close to marking his debut with a goal, but was unable to get on the end of Brown's set-piece from 10 yards as Barnet's defence snuffed out the danger.

Lawrie's assured touch was more effective when venturing into the centre from his right-midfield starting position.

On 37 minutes, the Northern Ireland Under-21 international stretched his legs before feeding Richards, who was denied a clear shot on goal from 25 yards.

The hosts endeavoured to play a crisp passing game in even crisper conditions.

Following more decent build-up play, Dodds crashed his 25-yard snapshot well wide of the left-hand post.

Adomah hung up a useful delivery in the 38th minute. Anyon stormed out of his goal to cleanly catch the ball despite O'Flynn's clattering challenge.

The striker came off worse, though, crashing to the deck like the proverbial sack of spuds.

Vale were less decisive when Adomah crossed again moments later. Griffith's header partially cleared the ball to the edge of the box where Richman failed to react, allowing O'Flynn to unleash a potent 25-yard drive, clearing Anyon's bar by a matter of inches.

However, the Valiants almost went ahead with five minutes of the first-half remaining. Richman played a precise pass to Richards in the left channel, but his shot was blocked by Beckwith.

After the break, Dodds played a neat one-two with Richman before steering his 20-yard effort into the diving hands of Beckwith.

Seconds prior to Lawrie's exit, the youngster embarked on a another run, this time picking out Dodds who again failed to test Beckwith's goal, dragging his shot wide.

Hopes were raised in the 68th minute when Richman earned his side a free-kick. Collins almost took advantage, thundering his eight-yard header over the bar after meeting Brown's set-piece.

Barnet, winless in eight games before kick-off, were looking increasingly vulnerable in their quest to escape with a valuable point.

But they held out all too comfortably in the end. Griffith and Collins missed the target with 20-yarders before Glover won a free-kick in the 81st minute.

Richards placed the ball down, 25 yards out from goal, only to hit a weak strike into the grateful arms of a stationary Beckwith... an effort which summed up proceedings nicely.

Griffith now hopes Vale can build on their second clean sheet of the campaign having conceded 10 goals in their previous three clashes.

The right-back also believes the addition of Owen comes as a major boost both in terms of his experience and ability.

Griffith said: "I thought we needed to strengthen the spine of the team and Gareth's come in and done a really good job on his debut.

"You can see from our results we need to cut out the errors. And from what I can see, Gareth is a no-nonsense defender who doesn't take chances and wants to get rid of the ball.

"That's the type of mentality we need rather than messing about with it. I think he's a good defender."

Stay logged on to www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk for reaction to last night's result