Port Vale lose ground at the top following draw at Bromley

Port Vale slipped four points behind leaders Walsall as they played out an entertaining goalless draw at Bromley.

Michael Cheek screwed a shot narrowly wide for the home side after two minutes and he went closer just shy of the half-hour. Danny Imray fed Cheek, whose back-heeled effort was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

The Cheek-Ripley battle continued just before the interval, with Ripley producing a fantastic point-blank save from the striker’s header.

Vale came to life just after the hour. Antwoine Hackford saw his drive turned behind by Grant Smith before Jayden Stockley’s deft header hit a post and rebounded into Smith’s arms.

Controversy hit five minutes from time when it appeared Stockley had forced a header over the line but his protests were to no avail and right at the death, Ripley produced his third stunning save of the game as he clawed a header off the line.