League Two leaders Port Vale recorded a fourth consecutive victory as they edged out Harrogate at Wetherby Road.

Ruari Paton’s 54th-minute free-kick proved sufficient to earn Darren Moore’s men a third 1-0 win in as many away matches, leaving them two points clear at the summit.

An end-to-end opening 20 minutes saw Harrogate’s Toby Sims head wide and Ellis Taylor denied by Connor Ripley, either side of a stunning James Belshaw save from a Ben Heneghan header at the other end.

The rest of the half belonged to the Valiants, though clear-cut chances were at a premium.

Vale began the second period like they had ended the first and after Tom Sang had gone close, Paton whipped a delightful 20-yard free-kick over the Harrogate wall and inside Belshaw’s near post.

Paton and Ben Garrity had opportunities to add to the away lead, though Town finished strongly. Taylor was again thwarted from distance by Ripley before substitute Sam Folarin was off target with a header and Jasper Moon prodded their best chance to equalise over the bar.