Sweet 16 now for the Ammies as home run continues
SALFORD City preserved their unbeaten home record in League Two with a 1-0 defeat of Port Vale – a 16th game at Moor Lane this season without a loss.
The Ammies, whose last league defeat at home came against Colchester United 375 days ago, started slowly and nearly fell behind inside 16 minutes when Nathan Smith’s scuffed effort struck the outside of the post.
Despite early promise, the Valiants failed to take advantage of their dominance and Richie Wellens’ side snatched the lead moments before the interval with Ian Henderson nodding in Ash Hunter’s accurate delivery – his fourth goal in as many home games.
On-loan Manchester United defender Di’Shon Bernard had the ball in the back of the net minutes after the restart, but referee Tom Nield adjudged Henderson to have handled before his team-mate’s header nestled in the far corner.
Hunter saw his drilled effort drift narrowly wide target in the highlight of a fairly uneventful closing stages as Salford held on to return to the play-off positions with 15 games remaining.
Coach Warren Joyce said: “We managed the game out well. It was important we got three points. It was a difficult night with the pitch and neither side could get the ball down and play attractive football. They’ve got to keep their record going – they’re unbeaten so far at home, which is a tremendous achievement, and we’ve got the most clean sheets in the league and conceded the least goals, so there’s a lot of things to build on.”