Late goal boosts Port Vale’s promotion hopes

Port Vale moved to the brink of the League Two automatic promotion spots after a late goal from Ronan Curtis secured a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Morecambe.

Curtis struck in the 89th minute to earn all three points for Darren Moore’s side and send them up two places to fourth in the table – level on points with AFC Wimbledon in third.

Morecambe, meanwhile, remain in 23rd place and are now seven points from safety.

The first chance of the match fell to Morecambe in the third minute as Gwion Edwards nearly caught out goalkeeper Ben Amos with a lob.

Vale had the ball in the back of the net 10 minutes later with Jayden Stockley turning in Connor Hall’s cross, but it was ruled out for offside.

A game generally low on chances sprung into life around the hour mark, when Stockley appeared to be pulled down in the box but was not awarded a penalty to the frustration of the home crowd.

The visitors immediately went down the other end and Callum Jones forced Amos to parry behind a shot from distance.

Amos was called into action again in the 67th minute, making a great save to deny Edwards’ headed effort from close range.

The hosts started to turn up the pressure thereafter and nearly took the lead when Ryan Croasdale’s shot crashed off the post.

The winning goal arrived in the final minute of normal time as Curtis curled the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards to ensure a crucial victory for Vale in their push for promotion.