VALIANTS RIDE THEIR LUCK

IF Port Vale can continue to lead a charmed life in front of their own goal they have a chance of climbing out of their current predicament in League One.

- Clive Youlton

The 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers came more by luck than judgement as the visitors hit the post twice, shot wide multiple times from good positions and had 66 per cent possession.

Michael Duff's side pummelled Darren Moore’s outfit at times in the second half.

But Vale clung on and tried to hit Wycombe on the break and had their moments too, not least early in the game and once in the second half when Rhys Walters’ dipping volley forced a superb save from Will Norris.

That is clutching at straws though, to a degree, and many Vale fans are wondering just where the next goal is coming from as their team have failed to score in the league since the 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon on October 11.

Vale were fortunate to get a point, but can at least say they stopped the rot after three straight league defeats while they climbed a place, above Peterborough United, who didn’t play.

Moore made three changes to the side that lost 4-0 to Bolton Wanderers in the last League One clash.

In came Ben Heneghan, George Hall and Ruari Paton and out went Jesse Debrah, George Byers and Jaheim Headley.

Byers and Headley didn’t even make the bench, and nor did Ryan Croasdale. Surprisingly, Ronan Curtis was also absent from the squad.

Liam Gordon, Jordan Gabriel and Mitch Clark remain injured while there was a spot on the bench for Funso Ojo, who was the man of the match in the midweek Vertu Trophy match against Fleetwood Town.

The last time Vale beat Wycombe at home was in 2012 and Wanderers had won their last three games at Vale Park.

Vale needed to get off to a good start and they certainly made a positive one when Kyle John burst forward from right-back and clipped into the box where Paton nodded to Devante Cole who almost got the vital touch needed in the six-yard box.