The good, the bad and the weight of history as Port Vale suffer Bolton setback

A look at Port Vale on and off the pitch following the 1-0 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers

Bolton’s goal survives as Vale press for an equaliser in front of the Hamil

Talk about history repeating itself. Port Vale have only won one of their last 20 home games against Bolton Wanderers and this latest reverse looked inevitable during a first half in which Dion Charles’ 43rd-minute goal was the least the visitors deserved.

It proved to be the winner but it also turned out there was plenty left in the game because the Vale were much better in the second half. They created chances for Gavin Massey, Kofi Balmer and James Plant and so made sure Bolton left, if not a little fortunate to win, at least feeling they had been pushed all the way for it.

Vale actually came closest to scoring in the first half when, moments before the break, James Plant fashioned a chance for Ben Garrity that was just about kept out by keeper Nathan Baxter.

But even an equaliser wouldn’t have spared Vale from Andy Crosby’s frustration at half-time as he made the point about getting higher up the pitch, being more aggressive and giving Bolton less time to play.

An improvement followed, even if a goal didn’t, but Vale stay in the play-off places, in sixth spot while Bolton climb three to fourth.