Jayden Stockley’s late header earned high-flying Port Vale a narrow 1-0 League Two win after a tight encounter at local rivals Crewe.
After withstanding the hosts’ pressure for long spells, the Valiants emerged as a force in the closing stages, wasting two gilt-edged chances before Stockley pounced, although the goal triggered disgraceful scenes as home and away fans clashed with lines of police in one corner of Gresty Road.
Victory pushed Vale up to third in the table ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs, but Crewe are now winless in five and remain ninth.
A lot was at stake for both sides and a cagey first period ensued, although the home side offered the greater threat as the half drew to a close.
Early on, Jesse Debrah thwarted Kane Hemmings’ route to goal with a decisive tackle after Chris Long slipped the Crewe frontman through inside the box.
Matus Holicek was a thorn in the flesh for the visitors and the youngster’s low drive just missed hitting the bottom corner.
Vale were grateful to goalkeeper Ben Amos for staying on terms as the interval approached. The keeper came off his line smartly to make a double save – first from Long and then the follow-up from Max Conway – after Tom Sang’s bad touch in the middle of the park allowed Crewe to break swiftly.
The Alex went close again when Tommy Lowery’s volley clipped the crossbar.
Vale were busy in the home half, but they only once forced Crewe goalkeeper Fillip Marschall into one save in the opening period, with the Aston Villa loanee beating out Ryan Croasdale’s snapshot.
Crewe were pressing again after the restart with Lewis Billington’s deflected effort flying inches over and Debrah deflecting a Conway cross uneasily past the far post.
The visitors wasted two late chances with substitute Rico Richards skewing a volley past the far post and Croasdale prodding the ball tamely straight at Marschall.
But it was Stockley who was lurking to apply a header into the top corner at the far post after the ball ricocheted around the home box for Vale’s 86th-minute winner.
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