Neil Aspin hails goalkeeper Sam Hornby as Port Vale leave Crewe with a point

Posted Tuesday, April 03, 2018 by PA

Stand-in goalkeeper Sam Hornby earned praise from boss Neil Aspin as Port Vale fought back from a dreadful start at Crewe.

While the Valiants had to settle for a point – after Crewe substitute Charlie Kirk levelled in stoppage-time – it was more than Aspin was contemplating after the hosts took an early lead.

Derby day nerves appeared to get the better of Vale’s young stopper Ryan Boot, who let James Jones’ free-kick slip out of his reach allowing Ryan Wintle a free header into an empty net just seven minutes in.

The keeper was soon withdrawn after sustaining an injury while dropping a cross, but replacement Hornby belied his lack of recent first-team experience by keeping the Alex at bay with some fine saves until the late drama.

The home side were in the ascendancy for most of the first half.

But they paid the price of on-loan defender James Sterry’s rush of blood to the head as he upending Luke Hannant in the box to allow Tom Pope to level from the spot against his former club before the break.

Hornby ensured Vale went in on level terms by coming off his line to deny a Wintle effort on the brink of half-time.

Quality was thin on the ground after the break as both sides grappled with each other before Antony Kay’s thundering volley – which flew in off the far post after 71 minutes – appeared to have won it for Vale.

But after Hornby did well to keep out Eddie Nolan’s snapshot, Crewe salvaged a point deep into stoppage-time when substitute Harry McKirdy teed up Charlie Kirk to drive into the bottom corner.

Aspin said: “I told Sam that it was a great game for him to go and (impress) as Ryan had been struggling. Sam did really well – he made some saves and kept us in the game.

“It was difficult for him as he’s not had a game in the first team since early in the season, he’s not played a lot of first-team football.

“You should win a game when you are leading late on like that, but I don’t think we deserved to win the game.

“I am disappointed but, after the first 20 minutes, I would have snapped your hand off to take a point.”

Crewe boss Dave Artell said: “I can’t remember Vale having a chance in the second half apart from Kay’s screamer. Their keeper getting injured was a game-changer though.

“He (Boot) had dropped two, but the stand-in was like Neville Southall and Peter Schmeichel in one. His save from Eddie Nolan at the end was top drawer.

“But great credit to the lads and Kirky as it wasn’t an easy chance for him. I felt the goal was coming and was quite calm about it really.”