Port Vale 3-1 Colchester

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Two goals in four minutes helped Port Vale to their second successive victory at Vale Park with a win against Colchester.

Ian Armstrong opened the scoring after 34 minutes when he curled the ball home from 20 yards after good work by Stephen McPhee.

Steve Rowland doubled the advantage after 38 minutes when his right-foot shot flew into the bottom corner after latching on to Matthew Carragher's cross.

The visitors had begun brightly with Mick Stockwell's shot saved by the feet of Vale goalkeeper Mark Goodlad after six minutes.

But the hosts then began to find their feet with McPhee and Sagi Burton both going close in quick succession.

Alan White headed wide following a corner on the hour as Colchester tried to find a way back into the game after going 2-0 down, but their hopes of a comeback were ended after 68 minutes when Stephen Brooker notched the third from close range after a delightful right-wing cross from Michael Cummins.

Visiting boss Steve Whitton made changes as he sought a lifeline but it was not until the final seconds that they managed a consolation when Karl Duguid's left-foot shot found the net.

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Port Vale: Goodlad, Walsh, Carragher, Burton, Rowland, Cummins, McClare, Durnin, Armstrong (Webber 62), Brooker, McPhee. Subs Not Used: Delaney, Byrne, Painter, Burns.

Booked: Burton.

Goals: Armstrong 35, Rowland 39, Brooker 69.

Colchester: Woodman, Duguid, White, Clark, Keith, Pinault, Bowry (Ross Johnson 83), Stockwell (Coote 64), Izzet, McGleish (Rapley 73), Barrett. Subs Not Used: Brown, Morgan.

Booked: Izzet, Clark, McGleish, Barrett, Coote.

Goals: Duguid 90.

Att: 4,444.

Referee: D Crick (Worcester Park).