Vale left to reflect on Colchester defeat

A look at Port Vale after the 2-1 loss at Colchester

Darren Moore’s side suffered their first defeat in 12 games. Pic by Pete Stonier

Hello and welcome to our Wednesday morning edition of The Valiant for March 12.

Vale suffered their first league defeat of 2025 just as they seemed to have salvaged a draw at promotion rivals Colchester.

The home side took the lead on 34 minutes when Samson Tovide nicked the ball away from Nathan Smith 35 yards out and then beat him for pace before clipping the ball past Ben Amos from the right of the area.

But Vale levelled on 84 minutes when Tom Sang’s cross was headed back across by Jayden Stockey for fellow substitute Rico Richards to sweep the ball home at the far post.

Fiacre Kelleher headed home Lyle Taylor’s free kick on 87 minutes but Vale came within inches of a leveller when Ronan Curtis hit the bar from the edge of the area just as the clock ticked over to 99 minutes.

Vale stay sixth but only three points clear of ninth-placed Colchester whose victory was their fourth on the spin of a 12-game unbeaten run.

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