Match Report

Accrington Stanley shocked disappointing Port Vale with an impressive display as goals from Ian Craney and Paul Mullin secured a thoroughly deserved victory.

Vale's cut-price season ticket offer swelled the attendance to more than 6,600, but it was the 108 Stanley fans who were singing when their side took a third minute lead.

Mullin was fouled by John McCombe 25 yards out and Craney bent a right-foot shot around the defensive wall and out of the reach of Joe Anyon's despairing dive.

Vale responded by pushing the visitors back as Louis Dodds fired one effort wide of a post and Marc Richards hooked another a yard too high.

But Accrington were defending solidly and began to grow in confidence as half-time approached to the dissatisfaction of the home contingent.

They almost doubled their lead two minutes before the break when John Miles found Jamie Clarke in space and his shot was deflected narrowly wide.

Accrington also started the second period on the front foot with Craney and Proctor first to the ball in midfield and the lively Jamie Clarke fancying his chances against a ponderous Vale defence.

The on-loan 19-year-old from Blackburn left Sam Stockley for dead in the 57th minute before his cross flashed across the six-yard box and rolled to safety.

And Clarke was inches away with a tremendous effort eight minutes later when he skinned McCombe and belted a 25-yard shot which thudded against Anyon's left-hand post.

Vale finally landed a shot on target seven minutes from time when a snapshot by substitute Rob Taylor forced a decent save from Kenny Arthur.

But Stanley got the second goal their performance deserved in the last minute when Mullin strode onto Craney's pass and lifted a super chip over the advancing Anyon.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides