Champers will likely have to wait for Vale

PORT Vale head into today's League Two clash at home to Grimsby Town with their promotion and title destiny still in their own hands.

- Clive Youlton

The permutations for this afternoon's round of matches are far from straightforward but there is a scenario where Vale could be promoted in front of their own fans with two matches to play.

Still top of the pile by a single point, the likelihood is they will have to wait for their trip to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday to pop the champagne.

But never say never, given the fact most teams at the top end of the division have spent the last few weeks frittering away points to help Vale's cause while failing to stamp any authority on proceedings.

Darren Moore's Valiants have since taken advantage with four straight wins before Good Friday's abject showing at second-bottom Carlisle United which was anything but good.

In Cumbria, Vale's defence resembled a creme egg - hard on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside as they shipped three goals before fighting back in a 3-2 defeat.

Now the focus will be back on the task in hand. In the unlikely event Vale were to secure elevation to League One, today, they would need other results to go their way.