STOCKS CASHES IN TO NET CRUCIAL VICTORY FOR VALE

INSPIRED by goalscorer Jayden Stockley, Port Vale finally won their sixth game of the League One season as they beat third-from-bottom Northampton Town 1-0 at Sixfields Stadium.

- Clive Youlton

KEY VICTORY: Port Vale beat relegation rivals Northampton 1-0 last night, thanks to a goal from experienced striker Jayden Stockley.

Last night's victory was a morale boost for the division's basement boys as they reduced the deficit to safety to 10 points. For manager Jon Brady, it was only his second league win in eight attempts in charge of the Valiants to make it seven points from a possible 24.

The victory also saw Vale go two successive league matches without defeat for only the fourth time this season.

More tellingly, it will have given hope to all connected to the club that their fate is not sealed - yet at least - and they will continue to fight against relegation with 15 matches still to play.

A win for Northampton would have seen the safety gap widen to 14 points because Burton Albion beat Stockport so this was a vital result for the visitors.

Brady, making his first return to his previous club he left in December 2024, made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 against Reading and that included changing his front two. Out went front two Ben Waine and Andre Gray and they were replaced by Jayden Stockley and Martin Sherif, making his first start. Ben Heneghan found himself back in the side at the expense of Jordan Shipley as Brady was obviously trying to counteract the threat of Tom Eaves.

The only change to the bench was Rhys Walters who was preferred to Grant Ward.

There was no Tyler Magloire, Jaheim Headley, Onel Hernandez or Dajaune Brown as well as injured trio Ben Garrity, George Byers and Ryan Croasdale.

Vale had not won on this ground for six years and it was Kevin Nolan's side who got the action underway.