VALE LACK CUTTING EDGE AS BIRTHDAY BASH FALLS FLAT!

THEY may have been celebrating 75 years in Burslem, but the party went flat for Port Vale as they lost 1-0 at home to Doncaster Rovers.

- Clive Youlton

It was a fifth game without a victory for Darren Moore's Valiants since promotion to League One, and it was a display that degenerated as the game wore on as Rovers dominated the second half to take the points.

Vale needed a striker, and following the departure of Lorent Tolaj, they didn't have an effective one on the day.

The spirit in the team seemed to have gone with Tolaj too if this performance is anything to go by.

While Vale did better in the first half, and hit the bar from Cameron Humphreys, while Mo Faal should have scored, they were well off the pace in the second as Rovers controlled the game and grabbed the winner.

Ultimately, home fans were leaving well before the end, and the some of the ones who were left in the ground at the end booed the team.

Just when we thought Moore had changed his mantra and was happy with staying with a settled side, he was back to making multiple changes on this occasion six.

As well as the departed Tolaj, out went keeper Marko Marosi, as well as Jesse Debrah, Liam Gordon, Ryan Croasdale and Ronan Curtis.

In came Aston Villa loanee Joe Gauci for his debut, Kyle John, Jaheim Headley, Ben Garrity, Ben Waine and Mo Faal.

Leaving out Croasdale was perhaps the biggest surprise, while Liam Gordon has been exceptional and can feel unlucky not to be included.

As well as the suspended George Byers and injured Jayden Stockley, there was no room in the squad for Jordan Gabriel and Ben Heneghan, while Sam Hart is yet to be sighted in any matchday squad this season.

It was good to see Funso Ojo and Jordan Shipley had recovered from knocks sustained in the defeat to Stevenage to take their place in the side.

Doncaster played their short, sharp passing game and were looking intent on making it a fourth win at Port Vale in their last six meetings.

Vale were trying to get the ball forward, but Tolaj's absence was telling as their moves broke down.