Port Vale boost survival hopes with victory over fellow strugglers Swindon

Port Vale earned an important three points in the battle against relegation by beating fellow strugglers Swindon 3-2 at Vale Park.

A goal from Chris Eagles and a brace from JJ Hooper gave the Valiants their first league win in nine attempts in Sky Bet League One.

Nicky Ajose broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when his shot struck Kjell Knops and the deflection took it past Leonardo Fasan in the Vale goal.

Vale hit back a minute later when Eagles latched onto a Lawrence Vigouroux parry.

The hosts scored their second on 50 minutes when a Kiko free-kick was poked home by Hooper.

Two minutes later Vale were awarded a penalty when Eagles was fouled in the box. Forward Anton Forrester stepped up to take the spot-kick but shot over.

Brad Barry was sent off for the visitors four minutes from time for bringing down Hooper. The forward dispatched the resulting free-kick into the top left corner before substitute Luke Norris got a goal back for Swindon on 90 minutes.