Salford City picked up an important three points against Port Vale as the groundsman’s tractor makes a surprise cameo

Despite the one-way Port Vale traffic, Salford City converted their solitary shot on target which was the deciding goal in North Staffordshire.

The most memorable moment of what was a rather uneventful clash was when the groundsman’s tractor drove onto the pitch on the half-hour mark to repair the goalpost which was bent out of shape following a collision with Vale defender Connor Hall.

It was in that very goal that the Ammies netted the decisive goal as Tom Elliott put the ball past Aidan Stone in the 50th minute.

The visitors’ corner was only half-cleared by Vale and the ball fell to Ryan Watson who dinked it back into the box to Elliott as the striker broke the deadlock and gave his side the lead from close range.

Watson had the only other clear-cut chance for Salford after 12 minutes. He twisted and danced through the Valiants’ backline before his shot went just over Stone’s crossbar.

The Ammies defended so deep, and at times on the goal-line, making it impossible for Vale to create any good chances.

In the end, Vale had 17 chances with only three on target compared to Salford’s three shots and just the one on target.

Ben Garrity and David Worrall created the only dangerous chances in open play and Chris Hussey’s set-pieces were also a threat, but Salford kept their shape and cleared their lines.

Second half substitute David Amoo had chances to shoot however he was quickly closed down and ushered into the channels by Salford men.

Garrity and Brad Walker had several long-range efforts in the first half. Walker’s effort curled the wrong side of the post in added time and Garrity’s venomously struck shot was superbly blocked on the line by ex-Valiant Theo Vassell midway through the half.

Young loanees Kian Harratt and Ryan Edmondson ran their socks off in attack trying to get on the end of anything and everything, however, they were also unsuccessful.

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Vale lacked a creative spark, which would usually come in the form of Tom Conlon, but he was ruled out of action with an Achilles injury.

Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke provided an update post-match, however, he could not put a time scale on how long his side will be without their captain.

“We’re hoping not [needing a scan], we’ll have to have another expert opinion on it for how long he’ll be out for.”

Clarke also gave his overall assessment on his side’s third consecutive league defeat.

“We were very unfortunate not to get anything out of the game. I’d have been disappointed with a draw but that’s football.

“I don’t think it was a bad performance, just a frustrating performance because we haven’t got anything out of the game, and we’ve been on the front foot.

“We dominated a lot of the game, but we were a little bit sloppy in our decision making, and we don’t get a stone-wall penalty at the end there, it was one of those nights.”

Worrall was bought down in the box in injury time which saw all the Vale fans, players and coaching staff appealing a penalty to referee James Bell, however, the claims were waved away.

After the game, a frustrated Garrity gave his thoughts on the penalty appeal.

“It’s a million percent a penalty, I was right in front of it.

“Anywhere else on the pitch it’s a foul. It’s just a pity he (the referee) didn’t give it really.”

Garrity almost scored what would have been a goal of the season contender if not the winner as he drifted and glided through the Salford defence from inside the centre circle. A last gasp but a well-timed challenge from Ash Eastham inside the visitors’ box prevented the chase and kept the hosts at bay.

Vale’s number eight had the chance to level the tie along with Amoo and James Wilson in a late goalmouth scramble but again Salford cleared the danger. When chances like that do not find the net, Vale probably sussed that a goal probably would not come from that point onwards.

Both sides now turn their attention to this weekend’s fixtures. For Vale, they will make the long trip to Leyton Orient, meanwhile, Salford welcome Colchester United to the Peninsula Stadium.

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