Ace Sullay produces a moment of magic
LOAN star Sullay Kaikai came up with another stunning strike to see in-form Shrewsbury eight points clear of the relegation zone and dent Port Vale’s play-off push.
The exciting Crystal Palace prospect has now scored ten goals in two spells on loan to the Shropshire club this season.
His latest special strike, a 20-yard left-footed drive in the 73rd minute, extended Shrewsbury’s unbeaten run in League One to nine games.
Vale grabbed the lead on the hour with a header from Louis Dodds, but Kaikai hit back in style to earn another useful point for Shrews, who ended the game with ten men after skipper Nat Knight-Percival was sent off in stoppage time.
Shrewsbury manager Micky Mellon, a big admirer of the talented Kaikai, said:“To pop up and get another goal like that to bring us back into the game is good.
“But I’ve got to say the lads that came on take a lot of credit as well. The subs came on and changed the tide a little bit and enabled us to look a little bit more of a threat.
“For me, it’s about combing over the performance and what we’ve got to do to continually improve, but what we want to achieve at the end of it all is be in League One next season, so it’s another point towards that.”
Vale were twice denied a first-half lead by excel- lent saves from Shrewsbury goalkeeper Mark Halstead.
Ryan Inniss powered an early header goalwards, only for Halstead to make a flying stop diving to his left.
Halstead also needed to be alert just before the interval when Michael O’Connor took aim with a half volley which the home keeper did well to tip over the bar.
Vale moved ahead on the hour when Dodds headed in off the underside of the bar after JJ Hooper nodded back a cross from Carl Dickinson.
Shaun Whalley had a golden chance to equalise soon afterwards but his closerange effort was blocked by defender Ben Purkiss.
Kaikai’s fine pass then sent substitute JeanLouis Akpa Akpro clear with just the keeper to beat three minutes from time, but Jak Alnwick saved the Frenchman’s attempt to chip him.
A late flashpoint saw Shrewsbury skipper Knight-Percival dismissed for shoving Vale defender Richard Duffy.
Boss Rob Page said: “Duffs got up and their lad reacted in a manner he shouldn’t and he was rightly sent off.
“Ordinarily, we would take a point away from home.
“But we are a little bit disappointed in that changing room to think that we maybe could have come away with a win.”