Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | Sport

Wednesday, 7th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 11th November, 2008 09:30

Vale losing more ground

Ashfield 2 Vale of Leven 1

Vale lost more ground in the promotion race dropping another three points from a winnable situation.

One ahead at the break, Vale succumbed to two second half strikes from an in-form home side who narrowly missed out on promotion last season.

After the narrow Scottish Cup win over Greenock last week, Vale were forced into a couple of changes with Robert McKenzie and Gordon Martin ruled out along with top scorer Mark Pawsey.

Back into the starting eleven came Alan Filshie, Alex Drain and Craig Cavana.

Both sides tried to play football in difficult windy conditions and Vale were stroking the ball around quickly, with Meechan causing the most danger.

Clear cut chances were scarce in the first half, but Vale went ahead after 25 minutes. From a free kick delivered high to the back post, McNaught headed it towards goal and David Meechan nodded in from inside the six yard box.

The home side came more into the game after the loss of the goal and only a timely interception denied marksman Passmore.

It took until the 70th minute for Ashfield to equalise after Vale conceded a free kick in a dangerous position.

Dead ball expert Ali Martin stepped up to curl a fantastic shot up and over the Vale wall past Matty Carr and into the net.

Carr then denied Smith after 75 minutes when he pushed the striker’s shot to safety, but minutes later Smith scored the all important winning goal.

A long ball played deep upfield was headed out straight to Smith who smashed the ball in low and hard from 20 yards, just past Carr’s grasp.

Ashfield went down to 10 men when Gault picked up a second yellow, but while Kevin Montague struck the crossbar and Pawsey saw his chip hacked off the line, there was no way through for the Vale.

Deep into injury time, Montague’s effort looked netbound, but McGovern produced a great save with his feet to deny Vale the point they deserved.

Vale: Carr; Cavana, Grant, Drain; Buchanan, Filshie (Montague), Lees, Russell; Gourlay, McNaught (Pawsey), Meechan (Ward). Unused Subs: Brown and Lacy.

This week Vale are away to meet Lesmahagow at Craighead Park in the league. And following the Scottish Cup third round draw on Sunday, Vale will face neighbours Clydebank at Millburn on November 29.

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