Shrewsbury loss shoves Vale closer to the drop

A look at Port Vale in our Sunday March 10 edition following the 2-1 defeat at home to Shrewsbury Town

Nathan Smith goes close for Vale in the 2-1 defeat at home to Shrewsbury. Pic by Tom Green

Port Vale’s hopes of escaping relegation continue to fade after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Shrewsbury.

The defeat leaves Darren Moore’s side seven points from safety and, although they have at least a game in hand on most of their rivals, a run of just three points from the last 12 games suggests picking up five or six wins from the final 11 fixtures will be beyond them.

They gifted the visitors an opener when poor defending from a well-worked corner allowed Daniel Udoh to score at the far post on six minutes. Nathan Smith and James Wilson forced excellent saves from Marko Marosi, and Ben Garrity also went close, but the Shrews doubled their lead on 53 minutes when a corner was returned through a crowded area for Tom Bloxham to stab the ball past Connor Ripley.

Substitute Baylee Dipepa pulled a goal back on 69 minutes but Shrewsbury held on to strengthen their survival chances and shove Vale towards League Two.

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