Legge stars at both ends in Port Vale win

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2018 by PA

Leon Legge’s second-half header secured a 1-0 win for Port Vale in a tight derby encounter at Crewe.

It was the Valiant’s first success on their travels in 17 games as Neil Aspin’s side turned in a dominant second-half performance after surviving a scare before the break when match-winner Legge cleared a Chris Porter effort off the line.

Ricky Miller’s enthusiastic running opened up gaps behind the home defence and one-time Crewe striker Tom Pope found room to loop a header past the far post.

But Crewe were denied by last-ditch defending when Scott Brown palmed away Jordan Bowery’s effort and while Porter looked to have finished off the rebound Legge turned the striker’s shot away.

Vale were close to taking the lead soon after the restart when Manny Oyeleke slipped Miller through on goal. Garratt beat out the striker’s shot and with the goal at his mercy Pope lifted the rebound onto the bar.

But Whelan was fortunate only to be booked after hacking down Miller when the striker looked to be through on goal.

And the home side were under pressure when Luke Hannant’s cross drifted to the far post for Legge to head home the 76th-minute winner.

Vale survived a late scare when Shaun Miller’s shot flew off Oyleke’s boot and clipped the post but held on to a second successive win.