Crawley Town 1 : 2 Port Vale - Crawley finding it tough going

Port Vale clinched their first league win in four games as first-half goals from Michael Brown and Louis Dodds clinched a 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Crawley.

Crawley, now with only one win in their last 11 league matches, had a let-off early on when Dany N'Guessan latched on to a defensive slip by Dean Leacock and forced a good save from goalkeeper Lewis Price.

Price, on loan from Crystal Palace, kept out a low shot from Dodds before Crawley defender Jimmy Smith fired a free-kick from just outside the penalty area into the wall.

Veteran midfielder Brown threatened to give Vale the lead with a rasping 25-yard shot, but Price got down to make a scrambling save.

But Brown broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a fine finish into the top corner from 16 yards after a storming run down the flank by N'Guessan.

Midfielder Dodds extended the visitors' lead three minutes before the break with a fierce low shot after his initial drive had been parried by Price.

Former Vale striker Gavin Tomlin failed to convert a 61st-minute penalty for Crawley after Marvin Elliott had been shoved by Michael O'Connor and goalkeeper Chris Neal made a fine save diving to his right.

Mark Marshall and N'Guessan both went close to adding further goals for Vale before substitute Conor Henderson pulled a goal back for Crawley a minute from time following a cross by Jimmy Smith.