Match report: Port Vale 1, Cheltenham Town 1
By Steve Shaw at Vale Park
PORT Vale’s virus-hit squad surrendered the lead, and their winning run this afternoon, as crisis club Cheltenham Town came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw.
Marc Richards’s early strike appeared to set the hosts on their way to a fourth successive victory.
But as Vale tired in the second half, with many players still suffering the affects of a virus, the Robins took advantage when Michael Pook levelled with an excellent long-range effort.
While Vale’s winning streak was halted they extended their unbeaten run to six matches.
Several players, including Richards, were still feeling the affects of picking up the virus which swept through the first-team squad during the week.
Only centre-half Lee Collins remained in his sick bed and his misfortune allowed transfer-listed defender Luke Prosser to make his first appearance in a Vale shirt this season.
Prosser capped his return by grabbing an assist in the ninth minute when his long diagonal delivery found Richards in the box.
The striker seemed to take an age to control the ball with the use of his chest.
But as defenders Josh Low and Michael Townsend backed off Richards had all the time he needed to turn and fire into the bottom left-hand corner from 16 yards.
Vale had much the better of the first half but tired during the second period as the visitors grew in confidence.
Their equaliser arrived in the 66th minute when David Bird’s long through was cleared to Pook on the edge of the box.
From at least 20 yards out the midfielder rifled a rasping left-foot drive beyond the outstretched arm of keeper Chris Martin and into the top left-hand corner.
Port Vale: Martin, Stockley, McCombe, Owen, Prosser, K Taylor, Jarrett, Griffith (Fraser, 73), Dodds (Guy, 83), Richards, Haldane (R Taylor, 73).
Not used: Anyon, Howland, Yates, McCrory.
Cheltenham Town: Brown, Orn Eyjolfsson, Diallo, Townsend, Low, Bird, Pook, Lewis (Hayles, 77), Alsop (Richards, 69), Hammond, Artus.
Not used: Richardson, Gallinagh, Hutton, Watkins, Haynes.
Referee: Steve Cook (Surrey)
Attendance: 4,979 (including 182 visitors)
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