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Vale achieve a richly-deserved victory after a rip-roaring first half show.

Vale went with Goodlad, McGregeor, Pilkington, Fortune, James, Cummins, Sonner, Togwell, Smith, Lowndes and Constantine. Birchall reverted to the bench as Foyle opted for a 4-3-3 formation. Lee Matthews and Walsh were also on the bench.

Vale were largely dominant from the start. Cummins came close to scoring but Baker saved well and Togwell hit the woodwork.

On 13 minutes Vale took the lead. McGregor passed forward to Lowndes, who headed the ball towards Constantine. There was still much to do but Constantine lifted the ball quite brilliantly over the keeper into the net.

Lowndes and Togwell had good efforts to add to the lead before Dons equalised. Lewington hit over a cross to Platt who headed the ball into the corner of the net. Hard to understand why Fortune did not get off the ground or why Goodlad dived rather than taking a step and then diving to save a header which was not especially powerful.

On 30 minutes Constantine came close to regaining the lead for Vale. His shot again hit the post.

On 35 minutes Smith played the ball forward for Lowndes to run menacingly into the area. Morgan went for the ball and certainly played it but looked to take Lowndes as well. The linesman indicated a penalty and the other issue was whether or not Morgan would be red-carded. Personally, I don't like to see players red-carded as a goalscoring opportunity is soon restored by way of a penalty and yet red cards are often flashed in these situations. Morgan was nor carded at all. Constantine sent the keeper the wrong way and scored. Unfortunately, Lowndes was injured in the incident and took no further part in the game.

Just before half-time Baker made another fine save from Constantine but Vale were not to be denied and Cummins hammered home a cross from Birchall right on the interval.

The second half was more subdued. On 56 minutes Goodlad made a great save from Morais but there were few serious efforts on goal, though Jeff Smith did have some great runs and near misses.

Birchall did put one fantastic effort into the net but it was disallowed after the linesman flagged. I assume this was offside but did not think so at the time.

Vale had 9 on-target efforts to their 4 and 8 off-target to their 4 with 7 corners to their 5. The attendance was a feeble 3452, including 87 visiting fans. There was one booking : another for James. Normally, Ref Robinson produces the cards on a regular basis and Vale have been his victims before.

This was a fine display by Vale and, if the second half was less spectacular than the first, the main aim was achieved : victory. It left Vale in 15th place, though Bradford are 10th with only one point more. It was a good all-round display against a team with good strikers but little to offer in defence. Inevitably, Constantine was chosen as Man of the Match but there were many good performances around the team.

Swansea on Saturday. A victory would be difficult but Vale can do this as they have often done against decent teams.

Briefer piece than usual as I am busy!

Eddie