Port Vale 1 : 0 Rochdale - Veteran Brown sees off Dale

Posted Sunday, November 16, 2014 by PA

Michael Brown's second-half goal secured Port Vale a 1-0 victory which took them into mid-table and dumped Rochdale out of the play-off places.

Veteran Brown spent most of the afternoon protecting Vale's defence, but roamed forward to deliver the decisive strike in the 64th minute.

Rochdale bossed all of the early play, but it was Vale who should have taken a 16th-minute lead.

Colin Daniel looked certain to score when the ball dropped at his feet eight yards out and it took a brilliant reflex save by Conrad Logan to deny him.

Defences then remained largely on top for the remainder of the first-half, although a fierce shot from Rochdale's Jamie Allen did warm Chris Neal's fingers.

Allen's half volley provided Neal with a more serious test early in the second-half as the visitors upped the tempo.

But it was Vale who struck the lead against the run of play through man of the match Brown.

Adam Yates' right-wing cross was partially cleared by Ashley Eastham and the onrushing Brown struck a right-foot shot from 15 yards into the ground to send the ball bouncing high inside Logan's left-hand post.

Vale substitute Ben Williamson should have added a second with his first touches when he pounced on a poor back-pass by Scott Tanser, took the ball around Logan only to roll his shot wide.