Crawley finding it tough going

Port Vale clinched their first win in four games as goals from Michael Brown and Louis Dodds clinched a 2-1 victory at Crawley.

Crawley, now with only one win in their last 11 league matches, had a let-off early on when Dany N'Guessan latched on to a defensive slip by Dean Leacock and forced a good save from goalkeeper Lewis Price. Price, on loan from Crystal Palace, kept out a low shot from Dodds before Crawley defender Jimmy Smith fired a free-kick from just outside the penalty area into the wall. Veteran midfielder Brown threatened to give Vale the lead with a rasping 25-yard shot, but Price got down to make a scrambling save. But Brown broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a fine finish into the top corner from 16 yards after a storming run down the flank by N'Guessan. Midfielder Dodds extended the visitors' lead three minutes before the break with a fierce low shot after his initial drive had been parried by Price. Former Vale striker Gavin Tomlin failed to convert a 61st-minute penalty for Crawley after Marvin Elliott had been shoved by Michael O'Connor and goalkeeper Chris Neal made a fine save diving to his right. Mark Marshall and N'Guessan both went close to adding further goals for Vale before substitute Conor Henderson pulled a goal back for Crawley a minute from time following a cross by Jimmy Smith.