Port Vale ends winless run by beating Burton
Ryan Loft scored late on to give Port Vale a crucial 1-0 victory at Burton Albion to end a 14-game winless run.
The striker pounced seven minutes from time to give Vale a first win of 2024 and pull itself to within three points of EFL League One safety.
Vale’s James Wilson fired the first effort of the game into the side netting and Burton keeper Jamal Blackman had to tip Nathan Smith’s goalbound header from a corner over the bar.
Albion’s best moments came from Mark Helm, the midfielder agonisingly wide with a curling effort while Connor Ripley had to come out of his goal to block him after an exchange of passes with Joe Hugill.
Burton captain John Brayford poked wide early in the second half before Vale’s Ben Garrity struck the post from Tom Sang’s corner.
The decisive moment came during a counter-attack, Loft initially crossing for Ethan Chislett and, when the striker’s shot bounced back off the post, he was there to smash the ball in from close range.
