Player ratings

BROWN: Unlucky that two of the goals to beat him took huge deflections ................. GIBBONS: Was an attacking threat down the right .......... 5 SMITH: Won’t take any satisfaction in being part of a side that’s conceded seven in two home league games ........... 5 LEGGE: Poor first half. Maybe feeling the effects of the calf strain that had kept him out 5 CLARK: Not in the form he was. Could be sidelined by a calf strain .......................... 5 KAY: Had a decent game in frnt of the back four, but should have done better with a second-half header ......... 6 OYELEKE: Started in an inside right position in Vale’s 4-1-3-2 line-up. Not at his best ....... 5 JOYCE: Unlucky not to score when his effort was blocked on the line ......................... 5 HANNANT: Worked hard, but without much reward .......... 6 WHITFIELD: Another who was close to scoring. Started up front then moved out wide ...6 POPE: Not his day. Forced off with a hamstring injury ........ 5 6

SUBSTITUTES MILLER (for Joyce, 69): Vale have to decide whether to stick with him or send him out on loan .............................. 5 DODDS (for Pope, 71): Should have scored late on ............ 5 VASSELL (for Clark, 86): A late show at left-back ......... 5 Not used: Hornby, Rawlinson, Pugh, Conlon.

COLCHESTER: Gilmartin, Jackson, Prosser, Eastman, Dickenson, Lapslie, Pell, Senior (Comley, 77), Szmodics (Gondoh, 90), Nouble (Norris, 81), Mandron. Subs Not used: Barnes, Wright, Dunne, Kensdale.