Football: Record run ends in Vale of tears

Port Vale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

Stoke City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

STOKE deservedly avenged two cup defeats by Port Vale this season when they took their Potteries rivals' unbeaten home record - the last in the four divisions - in the course of completing a Second Division double in the Burslem rain last night.

A goal in each half, by Mark Stein and Nigel Gleghorn, ensured that Lou Macari's side quickly shrugged off their own first home reverse last weekend. They are now virtually assured of automatic promotion, whereas second-placed Vale face a fight to the finish with Stockport and Bolton.

Stoke's success was their 14th in 32 League meetings against nine by Vale, who have not taken full points off their neighbours since 1955. It also evened the score in five derbies this season at two wins and five goals apiece.

Stein had scored a late, bitterly disputed winner in the first game. But there was no doubting the validity or quality of his 29th goal of the season, a first-time volley from 18 yards following a strong run and cross by John Butler after only five minutes.

Vale responded in the 23rd minute, but Chris Sulley fired wide following a slick build-up. Dave Regis and Stein almost doubled Stoke's lead before Bruce Grobbelaar made his first real save, parrying from Bernie Slaven in first-half injury time.

Stoke put the result beyond doubt in the 64th minute. Paul Musselwhite, who had just made an acrobatic save from Gleghorn's 30-yard free-kick, was promptly beaten by the midfielder's glancing header from a David Kevan corner.

The referee, Roger Milford, was not there to see it, having been substituted by his senior linesman after a collision with Ray Walker.

Port Vale: Musselwhite; Kent, Sulley (Jeffers, 60), Walker, Swan, Glover, Slaven, Van der Laan, Houchen, Billing (Cross, 81), Kerr.

Stoke City: Grobbelaar; Butler, Sandford, Cranson, Overson, Gleghorn, Foley, Kevan, Stein, Regis (Shaw, 80), Ware (Russell, 89).

Referee: R Milford (Bristol; G Davis, 50).

Bart-Williams awaits call,

Young Gunners, page 37