OJO RISES TO THE OCCASION TO HELP VALE SECURE POINT

A FANTASTIC performance from Funso Ojo, allied to a spirited display from his Port Vale teammates, earned a deserved 0-0 draw at Burton Albion in a game that swivelled on one moment.

- Clive Youlton

It came in the 15th minute when George Byers was sent off for a tackle on Charlie Webster that referee Scott Oldham deemed worthy of a red.

There were mixed views about the decision but, nevertheless, Vale had their hands tied behind their backs from that point on and did superbly well in the circumstances to take a point.

The bare facts are that the visitors had just one shot on target but Jesse Debrah dragged one effort wide of an open goal and had a glorious chance with a free header in stoppage time while Burton too should have scored with one of three excellent headed chances.

In addition, Vale keeper Marko Marosi did brilliantly well to save the only meaningful shot Burton managed.

A medical delay for eight minutes in the second half only added to the drama in this League One clash.

Despite Darren Moore insisting that his Vale teams shouldn’t be considered ‘league’ and ‘cup,’ that’s exactly what they have become as Cameron Humphreys was the only change to the team that drew with Cardiff City in League One last time out, replacing Kyle John.

Apart from that change, none of the outfield starters who beat Blackpool 2-1 in the League Cup were in the lineup against Burton.

There was a suggestion from Moore that Jordan Gabriel - who suffered from the curse of being chosen for the pre-match press conference - might not have been fit but he confirmed Rhys Walters was just left out of the squad.

Gabriel has now missed all three league matches so far.

On a tight pitch, neither team retained possession for long early on as the ball continually changed hands, before it settled down.

Mitch Clark rose to head a long diagonal ball from Connor Hall down into the penalty area and, in front of the Vale fans, Lorent Tolaj slid in and almost got the desired touch.