Boro leave Valiants deflated

22 February 2011 23:00
Stevenage saw off Port Vale 3-1 to record their second away win in four days and climb into the top half of the table, denting the hosts` promotion drive in the process. Vale were on top for most of an uneventful first half-an-hour before two defensive errors handed the visitors a two-goal lead. The 31st-minute opener was a bizarre own goal as 30-yard back-pass from Anthony Griffith took a bobble before rolling over Chris Martin's foot and into the net. And it was 2-0 nine minutes later after Lee Collins failed to shepherd the ball out of play, allowing Lawrie Wilson to cross for Peter Winn to ram in a low shot at the far post. Vale boss Jim Gannon made a double substitution at half-time, bringing on striker Marc Richards and winger Rob Taylor. And increasing pressure led to a 57th-minute reply when teenager Sam Morsy scored his first senior goal with a 20-yard shot which was deflected past Chris Day. A comeback looked on the cards, but Vale's hopes evaporated in the 66th minute when David Bridges rolled in the rebound after Ronnie Henry's shot was blocked by Martin.

Source: PA