Imps undone by Vale stunner

Firstly, I apologise for the delayed match report. Secondly, the Imps were the dominant team in last Saturday's home game against Port Vale, the Imps created little but still should have easily won, but a stunner midway through the first half proved the difference as City lost to Vale yet again.

City started well with Paul Green placing a cross into the box, LJL almost got to it but Anyon got there just on time. Neither side really created much for the opening ten minutes, Adrian Patulea shot well wide for the hosts just after the ten minute mark before Collins headed wide for Stoke's second team.

Clarke had an effort deflected into the gloves of Anyon before Oakes sent a weak 35 yard free kick straight at the Vale keeper. However, despite City enjoying the vast majority of possession in the game, it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play. The ball fell to Adam Howland about 25 yards out and much like Rochdale's Adam Rundle, he hit it first time and it sailed into the net.......two goal the season contenders in three games.

Hone headed a corner wide for City before Boyeson had serious words with Marc Richards, the former Northampton striker had led with his elbow on Danny Hone. City had a penalty appeal turned down when Patulea (rather theatrically) went down under a challenge. Richards was booked for yet another foul but that was the final action of the first half.

Stefan Oakes continued his "now I'm here, now I'm not" consistency so far this season by being replaced by Aaron Brown at half time. Richman missed an easy change for the visitors before Louis Dodds, having rather unsurprisingly done absolutely nothing during the game, failed to connect properly with a cross.

N'Guessan hit the tp of the net before Patulea and LJL had two quickfire efforts blocked on the line. An N'Guessan low cross was not converted by Patulea, both were then surprisingly substituted for Wright and Gall. Then came City's big chance. Beevers found himself free in the area following a poor backpass, but he somehow managed to hit it straight at Anyon and City couldn't believe it.

City were now laying siege to the Vale goal but couldn't find a way through. Hone missed a header from six yards out before Brammer went off for Davidson. Prosser was booked for a foul on Brown before Kerr's free kick was saved by Anyon. Edwards was booked for the visitors before Rodgers replaced Richman. A very rare Vale break away saw Richards miss an open goal after Rodgers had hit the post.

Then came the moment that sums up Kevin Gall. A cross into the box fell to Gall, he had all the time in the world and could have really troubled the keeper from 3 yards out.......his header was weak and went straight to the goalkeeper.

City dropped to 11th.