Vale’s run ends in controversy

An in-depth look at Port Vale on and off the pitch after the 1-0 defeat at Gillingham

Jayden Stockley shows his frustration after a second-half miss. Pic by Tom Green

Hello and welcome to our Sunday morning edition of The Valiant for November 10.

Vale’s ten-game unbeaten league run came to an end as Jayden Clarke’s 79^th-minute header condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at Gillingham.

There was little between the sides in a scrappy encounter but it wasn’t just the physical nature of the game that will have left Darren Moore’s side feeling a little bruised. They seemed hard done to not to get a penalty when Ronan Curtis went down over keeper Jake Turner’s challenge just before the break.

And they were appealing in vain for a foul on Conor Grant before the Gills took a quick throw in the build up to the winner.

A game of few chances - the teams only managed one shot on target between them - could have tipped Vale’s way early in the second half but Jayden Stockley fired wide from six yards.

At least Vale’s lead at the top has only been cut from four to three points as Walsall and Crewe drew 1-1 and Doncaster and Notts County also shared a 1-1 draw in the other clash between Vale’s promotion rivals.  

We’ve got news, analysis, opinion and nostalgia this morning as we look at the game and the Vale on and off the pitch.

If you are interested in subscribing, we offer 150 editions a year from the day you sign up – that’s less than 27p per edition. There is also a monthly option or a free trial available.

If you are already a subscriber then thanks for your support and please read on….