ALBION fell to a 1-0 defeat in the all-Staffordshire clash with Port Vale

Striker Ryan Loft scored with seven minutes remaining in a dour encounter to grab the all-important win and continue Albion’s winless run.

For the all-important clash with their Staffordshire rivals Albion showed four changes to the side that took on Exeter last time out. Jamal Blackman came back into the side in goal with Max Crocombe away on international duty with New Zealand. Toto Nsiala returned from injury to reclaim a place in the back three with Tom Hamer reverting to right wing back as Jake Caprice dropped out. Steve Seddon also returned on the left in place of Tolaji Bola whilst there was a surprise return in attack for Mason Bennett with Rekeem Harper dropping to the bench. Sam Hughes made a long-awaited return on the bench and there was a call up for Academy striker Dylan Scott.

With a stiff wind at their backs in the first half Albion set about trying to take control of the game. The early stages of the game were played with Vale pushed back into their own half but they did provide a threat in attack when James Wilson darted into the box, but his angled effort was into the side netting.

Albion responded quickly with some crisp passing on the edge of the box giving Helm the chance to shoot from wide out and his shot curling wide of the far post. Bennett’s rising drive failed to trouble Connor Ripley in the Vale goal as Albion continued to try and exert a degree of dominance.

Vale broke away again on 21 minutes with Ryan Loft getting a lucky ricochet but the striker could not finish when clean through sliding the ball wide of Blackman and the post.

Blackman had to use all of height to tip a Nathan Smith header over the bar as Vale threatened from a corner and Albion got a stroke of luck when Alex Iacovitti’s ball back into the middle evaded everyone and bounced just wide.

Albion threatened with a flowing move down the left, Seddon finding Helm who then got into the box after exchanging passes with Hugill but Ripley was out smartly to divert the ball over the bar.

HALF TIME: BURTON ALBION 0-0 PORT VALE

An almighty scramble in the Vale penalty area in the opening moments of the second half saw skipper John Brayford with the ball at his feet but through a crowded six yard box his low shot went just wide.

A rapid counter from Vale resulted in a deep cross that was met by Ryan Loft but Helm had got back well to block inside the six-yard box.

Vale sensed a chance to press and from a corner Ben Garrity sawa near post header come back off the post on the hour mark.

A double change on 65 minutes saw the front two changed as Bennett and Hugill were replaced by Bobby Kamwa and Kyle Hudlin.

Hudlin won an early flick from a long throw but nobody gambled inside the six yard box as Ripley cleared with his feet.

Substitute Tom Sang forced Blackman into a reaction save as Vale tried to up the tempo and carve out an opening goal.

Vale finally grabbed the lead with seven minutes remaining, LOFT pouncing after Ethan Chislett’s effort had come back off the post.

Much as Albion pushed late on they could not fashion an equaliser on a hugely disappointing afternoon in front of the Burton fans.

ALBION: Blackman; Nsiala (Hughes, 84), Brayford (Scott, 84), Sweeney; Hamer, Oshilaja, Powell, Helm, Seddon; Bennett (Kamwa, 65), Hugill ((Hudlin, 65).

Substitutes: Kean, Harper, Carayol.

GOALS: VALE – Loft (83)

Referee: David Rock

Attendance: 3,757