‘Amazing’ Vale wrap up trio of victories...

ANDY Crosby hailed Port Vale’s players after a return of nine points from three games in a week, crowned with a win at Bradford.

Ben Garrity, with his 12th goal of the season, and James Wilson clinched the points at Valley Parade to follow home wins over Crawley and Mansfield.

Vale are now within two points of the play-offs and assistant manager Crosby, still leading the side in Darrell Clarke’s absence, was delighted.

He said: “It’s been an amazing week to take nine points – we’d talked about making a good week a great week. The people at this club never fail to amaze me.

“The first half was a bit scrappy and we missed so many moments to open them up. It was something we spoke about at halftime and came out straight on the front foot.”

Bradford keeper Alex Bass tipped away Brad Walker’s free-kick before winger David Worrall twice went close to giving the visitors a first-half lead.

Matty Foulds blocked one shot and then Worrall should have done better when he dragged another effort across goal after being played in by Wilson.

Bradford were thwarted by the woodwork as Andy Cook’s shot deflected off Walker and against the bar.

But Vale took the lead five minutes into the second half. Wilson fired a low cross into the sixyard box and Gareth Evans could only clear to Garrity, who fired past Bass.

Vale went further ahead after 63 minutes through Wilson’s solo finish, as he used his pace to get clear on the left before drilling the ball into the net from an angle, although Bradford claimed that defender Yann Songo’o was fouled in the build-up.

Sub Charles Vernam pulled one back within a minute of coming on, Nathan Smith turning his shot past Aiden Stone.

Cook then headed wide as Vale hung on for the three points.

After his third home defeat as Bradford manager, Mark Hughes said: “We’ve got to appreciate that teams will come up against us and will recognise the way we have played the last couple of games.

“That would have shown them you’ve got to have a gameplan to nullify the good play that we’re capable of. In the first half, I thought Port Vale did a good job in that regard.”