Rochdale 1-2 Port Vale

Port Vale's defence of the LDV Vans Trophy continued with a win at Rochdale.

But Brian Horton's men had to do it the hard way, coming from a goal down and then playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Chris Killen saw red.

An uninspiring first half produced little goalmouth action, but the game sparked into life four minutes after the interval when Dale took the lead.

Vale goalkeeper Mark Goodlad hesitated when meeting a long ball from Dave Flitcroft, and Kevin Townson produced a stunning chip over the stranded goalkeeper.

But the home side's advantage lasted just three minutes.

Ian Armstrong was upended in the box and Sagi Burton despatched the resulting penalty in style.

Things got worse for the home side in the 66th minute when Marcus Hahnemann fumbled Armstrong's soft shot and the ball dribbled over the line.

Dale were given a lifeline five minutes later when Killen, on loan from Manchester City, was booked twice in three minutes and sent off.

But despite their efforts, Steve Parkin's side could not break down a determined visiting rearguard and Goodlad's save from Townson denied Dale at the end.

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Rochdale: Hahnemann, Duffy, Jobson, Bayliss, McAuley, Durkan, Flitcroft, Oliver, Doughty, Rose, Townson.
Subs: Gilks, McCoult, Griffiths, Ford, Grand.

Port Vale: Goodlad, Cummins, Burton, Rowland, Carragher, McPhee, McClare, Brisco, Armstrong, Killen, Brooker.
Subs: Delaney, Donnelly, Dodd, Burgess, Byrne.

Referee: M Ryan (Preston).