Port Vale 1 - 0 Rochdale

Keith Hill missed the game due to undergoing a minor medical procedure

Port Vale maintained their unbeaten start to the league season with a narrow win over Rochdale. Defender Nathan Smith saw his deflected header beat Josh Lillis shortly after the half time interval to earn the three points. JJ Hooper missed the target from the penalty spot three minutes from time after Harrison McGahey pulled back Alex Jones inside the area.

There were two Rochdale faces missing from Vale Park for this League One clash; fullback Joe Rafferty had a slight groin strain so Scott Tanser was drafted in whilst manager Keith Hill was also absent after undergoing a minor medical procedure.

The first half saw chances few and far between.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s 30 yard drive brought about a low save from Alnwick.

Calvin Andrew scuffed a shot when well placed in front of goal.

Both sides had one clear cut chance to open the scoring before the break - Anton Forrester heading wide from six yards whilst Ian Henderson poked wide after a great pass from Mendez-Laing.

Vale, who had drawn one and won one in the opening two games of the season in the league, took the lead seven minutes into the second half. A needless free-kick conceded by Jim McNulty wide on the Vale right saw Dale’s vulnerability from set pieces raise its ugly head. Sam Foley's perfect delivery was met by the head of defender Smith with the ball taking a massive deflection of Calvin Andrew and looping over Lillis.

That goal proved to be Vale's only shot on target all game. Dale didn’t really cause Alnwick too many problems either - McDermott’s 30 yard freekick and Allen's powerful shot both off target.

Vale had a glorious opportunity to double their advantage as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes when substitute Alex Jones was pulled to the ground but Hooper fired well wide of the target with Lillis beaten.

A crazy five minutes of stoppage time saw some desperate defending from Dale when Lillis raced from his area but was beaten by Jones. The youngster rounded McNulty before looking towards the empty goal, Niall Canavan getting back to block the effort.

It was a frustrating evening for the 175 Dale fans who saw a poor second half performance from their side despite having the better of the statistics.

Rochdale: Lillis, Cannon (Thompson 64), McGahey, Canavan, McNulty, Tanser (Camps 58), Allen, Henderson (c), McDermott (Odelusi 61), Mendez-Laing, Andrew
Subs: (not used) Bunney, Lund, Logan, Morley

Port Vale: Alnwick, Purkiss, Sreete, Smith, Knops (Mbamba 74), Tavares, Foley, Thomas (De Freitas 55), Forrester (Jones 84), Hooper, Grant
Subs: (not used) Macintosh, Kelly, Boot, Amoras

Referee: Mr R Jones
Assistants: Mr R Atkin and Mr D Benton
Fourth Official: Mr M Jones

Attendance: 3,941 (175 from Rochdale)