Port Vale 0 : 1 Crewe Alexandra - Ajose Nicks it for Crewe

Nicky Ajose made up for missing a penalty when he scored the only goal of the game to give Crewe a 1-0 derby victory at Port Vale.

The visitors struggled to get out of their own half in the opening stages and Chris Birchall fired wide with a fifth-minute chance for Vale.

Ben Williamson's effort was also well saved by Ben Garratt as Vale remained in the ascendancy before Crewe failed to convert a 25th-minute penalty.

Chris Neal brought down Ajose and then atoned by diving to his right to save the Crewe striker's spot-kick.

Ajose was also eager to make amends and went close twice before he did make the breakthrough six minutes before the interval.

Jamie Ness played an excellent pass and Ajose sprinted clear to place a low right-foot shot past the advancing Neal and into the centre of the net from 12 yards.

Ajose squandered another opportunity early in the second half and Vale boss Rob Page had seen enough by the 61st minute when he made a triple substitution.

The changes, including a return from injury for striker Tom Pope, almost made a difference as Williamson and Chris Lines both went close to an equaliser.

Vale's pressure intensified in the closing stages as Pope headed straight at Garratt from six yards and Lines' shot clipped the crossbar.