Port Vale 2 Tranmere Rovers 1

Last updated : 01 May 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Port Vale's dreams of reaching the play-offs was kept alive following a last gasp 2-1 win against Tranmere Rovers at Vale Park.

Vale appeared hungry straight from the off and were unlucky not to have taken an early lead when Steve Brooker played the ball to Steve McPhee two yards outside the box.

Top scorer McPhee struck a tricky shot that bounced over John Achterberg but rebounded off the right post.

The Valiants did better on 11 minutes when goalkeeper Jonny Brain's long punch up field reached McPhee in the opposing box who played a clever back heel past Achterberg and into the net off his left post.

Tranmere replied quickly after 24 minutes when the pace of Dave Beresford carried him to the left bye line allowing him to squeeze the ball across to the back post with the help of a Sam Collins deflection where Paul Hall was waiting to tap the ball home neatly.

The visitors were unlucky not to go into the lead before the break, but a combination of the post and an excellent save by Brain prevented Iain Hume from grabbing a brace.

Vale scrapped to get the goal they so badly needed, but despite several close efforts, their finishing lacked a cutting edge.

Collins came closest on 50 minutes but his header off a Mark Bridge-Wilkinson corner was parried well by Achterberg.

Martin Foyle's men finally cracked it in the dying seconds when Michael Cummins flicked on a Collins throw for McPhee to volley in from six yards and ignite the Vale Park atmosphere.

Port Vale manager Martin Foyle said: "I am absolutely delighted for the lads as they have worked their socks off today. I might get a few pats on the back but it's the boys who deserve the credit.

"We've got to go to Rushden now, who are fourth from bottom and need to win to survive, so it isn't going to be easy."