Port Vale extended their unbeaten run in League Two to eight matches after claiming a 2-1 win over fellow promotion-chasers Salford.

Antwoine Hackford and Rekeem Harper scored either side of the break to move Darren Moore’s side to within two points of the automatic promotion places.

Hakeeb Adelakun’s penalty gave Salford hope of a late comeback, but the Ammies were unable to find an equaliser and dropped one place in the table to ninth – four points outside the play-offs – with just one win from their last eight games.

The first notable chance of the first half fell to Vale on the half-hour as Ronan Curtis got to the byline and crossed towards Hackford, whose header was superbly saved by Jamie Jones.

The same pair combined two minutes before half-time to put the hosts 1-0 ahead, with Hackford slotting the ball through the onrushing Jones’ legs after being played through by Curtis.

Harper doubled the Valiants’ advantage in the 52nd minute, firing home from the centre of the box after the ball fell kindly to him following a mix-up in the Salford defence.

Adelakun halved the deficit from the penalty spot after Haji Mnoga drew a foul from George Byers in the area, but Vale, who had Curtis sent off in the dying moments for violent conduct, held on to secure all three points.