Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Port Vale 5th with 78 points, Hartlepool United 17th with 54, 24 apart. Recent form told a different story for Port Vale: only 13th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 5th. Per game in the league, Hartlepool United were scoring 0.96 and conceding 1.39, Port Vale 1.46 and 1, against a competition average of 1.23 goals per team per game.
Port Vale had won four straight. Hartlepool United had banked 5 of the last 15 points on offer; Port Vale, 13.
The Suit Direct Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 7,856. On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 0-1.
Goal scorers
Port Vale: Connor Hall (67')
Key stats
Possession: Hartlepool United 48% · Port Vale 52% · Total shots: 11-12 · On target: 1-3 · Corners: 5-6