Scunthorpe’s late point at Port Vale delights caretaker boss Russ Wilcox

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2020 by PA

Russ Wilcox was delighted after George Miller snatched a late equaliser as Scunthorpe held Port Vale to a 2-2 draw at Vale Park.

The home side, who still moved into the play-off positions, should have put the tie to bed after Nathan Smith regained the lead with 11 minutes remaining.

But they failed to capitalise on their numerous opportunities and paid the price when Miller levelled in the 90th minute.

Mark Cullen had opened the scoring for the Valiants, before Alex Gilliead equalised in the 71st minute.

Scunthorpe caretaker manager Wilcox said: “It feels like a win.

“We have come twice from behind and I don’t think too many teams have done that at Vale Park this season.

“I said to the players the most pleasing thing is the character we have shown and if we can do that for the remainder of the season then we won’t go far wrong.

“It was difficult game for both teams especially with the wind which made it scrappy, so overall I thought we deserved the point.

“Our shape caused us a bit of a problem, so we changed things early.

“We had a Plan B and we grew back into the game and got closer to them in midfield, where we won those second balls.

“We had to fight and scrap, as Port Vale did, and I thought we did that in abundance.”

David Amoo set up Vale’s first goal in the 16th minute when he raced down the wing, cut into the box and whipped in a low ball for Scott Burgess, whose effort clipped off Cullen and flew beyond Rory Watson.

Scunthorpe equalised when Gilliead latched on to Devarn Green’s pass and rounded Vale goalkeeper Scott Brown before slotting home.

Vale, unbeaten at home since early December, hit back when Smith diverted home David Worrall’s corner to puts the hosts back in front.

But Scunthorpe battled and drew level as full-time approached when Miller got the slightest glance on a John McAtee cross to send the ball into the corner of the net.

Vale assistant manager Dave Kevan said: “It is a kick in the teeth for us and we are obviously disappointed, but we have to put it behind us and take the positives from the game.

“I thought we played some good football in the first half and we could have arguably have gone into half-time with a better margin.

“In the second half, we never really got going so at the moment it feels like a defeat. The players are disappointed.

“We possibly could have had the game done and dusted by half-time, but credit to Scunthorpe they stuck at it and will probably argue they deserved something at the end themselves.

“We all care, we all want to do the best we can for the football club and, in fairness to them, they have done and they will continue to do so for the rest of the season.

“But the overriding feeling at the moment is one of disappointment.”