ROSLER’S RAGE AT EARLY GIFTS
PIG-SICK Uwe Rosler believes Fleetwood gave Port Vale an early Christmas present as the Valiants came from behind to beat the Cod Army.
Chris Long headed the visitors in front but, after Fleetwood missed several chances to extend their lead, Rigino Cicilia levelled and Alex Jones grabbed a late winner, before both Long and Anthony Grant saw red.
Replays appeared to show a handball as Jones bundled in the winning goal, but Rosler admitted it was his own team’s profligacy which cost them.
“Port Vale rode their luck and we were playing Father Christmas. It was a gift for sure,” he admitted. “We weren’t capable of getting the ball over the line.
“It was one of our best away performances, tactically and technically. We created a lot of chances.
“The second goal was a handball, and that comes on top of us playing like that and not getting it over the line. It’s hard for me, the players and the club to accept.
“But that is only up to us. Yes, the referee made a mistake but we should have been three, four or five up.”
Chances were few in the first half-hour, but it took a great reaction save from goalkeeper Jak Alnwick to keep things level on 28 minutes when Kyle Dempsey slid in to meet Long’s cross.
Long finally broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half, nodding in from close range when Devante Cole headed Dempsey’s high cross back across goal.
Fleetwood counter-attacked well but failed to take advantage – Cole missing a great chance to double the lead on 61 minutes when he failed to convert form just yards out.
And they paid the price when Jerome Thomas’s left-wing cross was touched into Cicilia’s path on 75 minutes, and the substitute turned and converted from close range.
Jones then won the game with three minutes remaining, deflecting in at the near post after Thomas rode two challenges to cross.
There was still time left for Long and Grant to both see red as tensions boiled over into an off-the-ball scuffle, but the hosts stood firm to bag their first league win in five.
Coach Andy Smith hailed his team’s determination, saying: “It took a lot of character and a lot of desire to turn the match around.
“The boys showed great commitment and a great attitude. We pushed right to the end and got the three points so we’re delighted.
“Alex has been immense, that’s what he does. He scores goals and gets a sniff – no matter what the opportunity is, he gets in the right areas.
“It had been a while since our last league win, but this is football. What matters is how you respond to them.
“I’ve told the players, ‘If you give that every week, you’ll not be far off ’.”