VALE FAIL TO NAIL IT

Draw not enough to top the table

PORT VALE failed to go top of the table – but boss Darrell Clarke is still up for the promotion fight.

Bradford gave free-scoring Vale a tremendous fight and Clarke said: “We weren’t at our best, but I’m not going to be too harsh on my players, we’ve been on a great run.”

James Wilson put Vale ahead in the 56th minute.

David Amoo did all the hard work for that one, taking on Bradford and being stopped by impressive goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell.

Bradford shot-stopper O’Donnell made two fantastic saves from James Gibbons and Vale captain Tom Conlon within 10 minutes of each other in the first half.

Then he blocked rampaging Amoo in the second half.

But O’Donnell could not get hold of the ball and Wilson pounced for his seventh goal of what still promises to be a memorable Port Vale season.

“We are disappointed we didn’t take the three points but we are still on a great run,” added Clarke, with Vale unbeaten in six games in all competitions. “We weren’t at our free-flowing best.

“Bradford had played the top teams in the league and beaten them, so we knew what we were up against.

“They are looking to get out of this as league as well.

“Maybe the occasion, being on Sky and a big crowd, affected a few, but I’m not going to criticise my players.

“It comes as a massive shock when you draw or lose when you’ve been on a run like we have. We won’t allow that to happen.”

Bradford substitute Lee Angol (below) climbed to head in their equaliser from Matthew Foulds’ 74th-minute cross, to get the point they deserved. Charles Vernam was their main misfiring culprit, although he also set up an opportunity in the first half that Theo Robinson did not react to when the ball just needed touching over. “It was a good performance from us,” said Bantams boss Derek Adams.

“I thought we dealt well with them.

“In the second half we created good openings, but we’ve got to be able to take our chances.”