VALE SHRUG OFF LEADING SCORER'S EXIT FOR CRUCIAL WIN

PORT

- Clive Youlton

RELIEF: Ben Garrity pumps his fists after the final whistle.

Vale secured only a fifth win in 26 League One matches this season as they beat a poor Leyton Orient side 1-0 at Brisbane Road.Only the Valiants could announce the departure of their leading goalscorer, Devante Cole, 90 minutes before such a crucial match, and then win it with their only meaningful effort on target.

Manager Jon Brady has already stated that in many ways the pressure is off with his side probably needing another nine victories to stay up - and with most pundits already having written them off.

This was the first of them, and you couldn't begrudge the players their moment as they deserved it in front of close to 700 visiting fans.

It was a proper battling performance and while it would be too simplistic to suggest that Ben Garrity's return made a difference, it's the presence of players like him that Vale need to get themselves out of trouble.

Orient hit the post and missed one sitter from six yards, but apart from that Vale defended well with Connor Hall and Cameron Humphreys' reaction at the final whistle, when both slumped to the turf through sheer exhaustion and relief, was testament to their effort.

It was Brady's first Vale win in League One, and what could be a vital one.

It was also the team's first victory away from home in the league since Barnsley on September 27.

The big news was, much to many fans' annoyance, that Cole had signed for Luton Town after Brady had dismissed the Hatters' interest as speculation.

That leaves Ryan Croasdale as Vale's top scorer in the league with two. In fact, the starting XI at Brisbane Road had only scored five league goals between them.

There has also been talk of Ruari Paton and Mitch Clark leaving the club before tonight's 7pm transfer deadline, and neither were in the matchday 18.