Oxford United 2 - 0 Port Vale: Ruffels and Maguire on target as struggling Port Vale lose at Oxford

Posted Tuesday, April 18, 2017 by PA

Port Vale's Sky Bet League One relegation fears increased as they lost 2-0 to Oxford at the Kassam Stadium.

Needing a win to climb out of the bottom four, Vale created few clear chances and were beaten by goals either side of half-time from Josh Ruffels and Chris Maguire.

Midfielder Ruffels punished a mistake by Vale goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet to fire his first league goal of the season high into the net in the 14th minute after Marvin Johnson's left-footed drive had been parried.

Mehmet then turned aside a ferocious Johnson shot from 25 yards before blocking another effort when the striker ran through on goal.

Chris Eagles shot wide for Vale in the first half after a neat one-two with Rigino Cicilia and in the second, Simon Eastwood tipped Remi Streete's header over the crossbar.

Oxford sealed victory eight minutes from time when forward Maguire hammered the ball home from 14 yards to cap a swift counter-attack.

In the dying moments, Eastwood saved brilliantly from substitute Sam Kelly's shot to ensure a clean sheet for the home side.