Port Vale stay top after second-half double against Fleetwood

Second-half strikes from Ryan Croasdale and Ronan Curtis kept Port Vale top of League Two as they eventually swept aside a stubborn Fleetwood 3-1.

Despite Vale’s dominant opening half, which saw them hit the woodwork twice, Rico Richards’ 33rd-minute goal was quickly cancelled out by Fleetwood’s Carl Johnston.

But Croasdale restored Vale’s lead midway through the second half with Curtis coming off the bench to score the third and ensure they would remain top of the table.

Darren Moore’s side were relentless for 33 minutes of the first half, with Ethan Chislett’s free-kick bouncing off the crossbar and Fleetwood’s Rhys Bennett sliding the ball on to his own post.

Richards was the biggest Vale threat and would eventually put them ahead as Kayden Hughes’ slip created an opening for the Aston Villa loanee to pounce on.

The lead lasted three minutes as Phoenix Patterson delivered a lofted cross that Johnston slammed past Connor Ripley.

Vale responded valiantly, even with Ripley denying Ronan Coughlan twice, as Croasdale tucked his shot past David Harrington and Curtis nodded Ben Garrity’s enticing cross in to add a third in the 73rd minute.