Soccer
Joe Powell strike guides Salford to victory over bottom of table Port Vale
Joe Powell scored his first Salford goal as they battled to a 1-0 win over struggling Port Vale.
The away side began the day bottom of League Two but created the first notable chance after 26 minutes when Connor Hall headed Kyle Dempsey’s teasing free-kick against the crossbar.
Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel forced goalkeeper Will Norris into a smart reaction save with a powerful strike five minutes later as Jon Brady’s men continued to probe for an opener.
Norris comfortably kept out a long-distance effort from Oliver Lynch as the Valiants ended a low-key half on the front foot.
But Port Vale’s grip on the game was undone by a calamitous goalkeeping error eight minutes after the break when Powell’s tame free-kick from 25 yards went through Jackson Smith.
A swift Salford counter-attack saw Kelly N’mai cut in from the left and clip the crossbar as the hosts went in search second goal midway through the half.
The Ammies comfortably held off late Port Vale pressure to earn their second win in a row as the visitors failed to lift themselves from the bottom of the Football League, suffering another disappointing defeat.
