Stoke 0-1 Port Vale

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Stoke's promotion ambitions were dealt a serious blow by Potteries rivals Port Vale, who secured victory in front of more than 23,000 at the Britannia Stadium.

Vale were the better side from the off, with Stephen Brooker forcing an outstanding save from Neil Cutler inside the first 20 seconds.

And Brian Horton's men were more than full value for their interval lead, secured by Michael Cummins' glancing header from Matt Carragher's long throw in the 36th minute.

Stoke huffed and puffed after the break, with Andy Cooke going close to an equaliser, before in-form Vale rightly celebrated a fourth win in five games.

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Stoke: Cutler, Clarke, Thomas, Shtaniuk, Flynn, Goodfellow, Gudjonsson, O'Connor, Vandeurzen, Cooke, Dadason. Subs: Iwelumo, Thordarson, Henry, Bevan, Rowson.

Port Vale: Goodlad, Carragher, Rowland, Walsh, Burns, Cummins, Brisco, Bridge-Wilkinson, Durnin, McPhee, Brooker. Subs: Delaney, McClare, Ingram, Armstrong, O'Callaghan.

Referee: G Laws (Whitley Bay).