Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: Port Vale (2nd, 80 pts) held a 22-point advantage over Gillingham (17th, 58 pts). The last five rounds placed Gillingham 2nd in the league for form — higher than their 17th in the standings. Scoring rates set the scale: Port Vale 1.41 scored and 1 conceded per game, Gillingham 0.89 and 1, with the league averaging 1.25.
11 matches unbeaten backed Gillingham's arrival, having scored in 8 consecutive games.
16 previous meetings sit in the GioScore records — Port Vale 6, draws 5, Gillingham 5, at 2.69 goals per meeting. Goals at both ends are the pattern: both teams scored in 69% of the meetings.
Vale Park in Stoke-on-Trent, capacity 18,947, hosted the game. On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 0-1.
Goal scorers
Gillingham: Aaron Rowe (56')