The case of the missing strikers as Port Vale lose at Portsmouth

A look at Port Vale issues on and off the pitch with analysis of the 2-0 defeat at League One leaders Portsmouth, news, opinion, a tribute to George Andrews and more

Port Vale were beaten 2-0 at league leaders Portsmouth. Picture by Tom Green

Port Vale suffered their third defeat in a week as two Colby Bishop goals gave leaders Portsmouth a 2-0 win at Fratton Park.

The Vale had the better of the first half but fell behind to Bishop’s 53rd-minute opener and never looked like recovering once Bishop scored a 58th-minute penalty after Kofi Balmer has been penalised for handball.

The defeat leaves Vale in ninth and left Andy Crosby ruing errors at both ends of the pitch, as well as fielding questions about his team selection.

Please read on for our talking points from the game, how the Vale players rated, reaction from the managers, notes from the press box, a tribute to George Andrews, nostalgia and more.