CITY 2 Port Vale 0

Last updated : 02 April 2005 By Ciderjar
A return at centre back for Louis Carey, Clayton Fortune returns to the bench. Scott Murray and Joe Keith remain on the wings. Mickey Bell returns at left back in place of Scott Golbourne who has played three games in a week for the England under 17 side. Dave Cotetrill gets his place on the bench. Port Vale of course have Lee Matthews and he will probably be played as a loan striker. A gloriously sunny afternoon at Ashton Gate.

Port Vale kick off attacking the Atyeo end. Tommy Doherty takes an early knock. Murray has a shot blocked away for the first corner from which Scott Brown fires wide. Scott Murray takes on his man again but curls his shot high and wide.

Hull City are 1-0 up against Barnsley and Oldhamhave the lead against MK Dons. Lee Miller has scored against Celtic. Luton lead Blackpool.

Scott Brown has a powerful shot saved by Mark Goodlad, but Lita storms back into the area and scores with a powerful shot across the keeper having been put in yet again by a Joe Keith pass!

1-0 (Lita 14 mins)

City hit the post with a cross from Scott Murray. Port Vale force a chance but Lee Matthews shot is blocked by Louis Carey. Matthews then wins a free kick in a dangerous position but it comes to nothing. Brooker and Murray combine well but it goes out for a Vale goal kick. Lita heads down but the ball doesn't quie reach Brooker.

Cardiff have the lead at Plymouth in their big relegation battle.

Lee Matthews has another chance snuffed out by Danny Coles who appears to have the measure of his former colleague. Doherty and Murray combine well and force a corner. Scott Brown has a shot deflected for a corner. Another Joe Keith cross leads to a Scott Murray shot straight at the goalkeeper. There is a water break on the half hour mark as the assistant referee is substituted.

Sheffield Wednesday are ahead against Tranmere. Hartlepool lead Swindon. Bob Taylor has scored his 19th of the season for Tamworth.

Leroy Lita has to be substituted after appearing to turn his ankle and Paul Heffernan comes on for him (32 mins). Danny Coles clears the ball out of the ground aftera good ball behind Mickey Bell by Port Vale. Another run by Scott Murray wins a corner. Reid runs well into Citys penalty area and goes down but the referee gives nothing. Scott Murray shouts out in pain as he is fouled in a tackle, Port Vale's James is booked. Scott Brown wins a corner which Goodlad fails to deal with.

Tranmere have equalised at Hillsborough.

Jamie Smith puts Scott Murray in on goal but Goodlad saves well with his feet. City have had a relatively comfortable half but have lost goalscorer Lita through injury. Paul Heffernan may well grab his chance in the second half. Joe Keith, Scott Brown and Scott Murray all playing well for City.

Half Times
Bristol City (Lita 14) 1 - 0 Port Vale
Chesterfield 0 - 0 Bradford
Hartlepool (Porter 31)1 - 0 Swindon
Hull (L Cort 4) 1 -0 Barnsley
Luton(S Howard 15) 1 -0 Blackpool HT
Milton Keynes Dons 0 - 1 Oldham (L Beckett 5)
Peterborough (W Purser 45) 1 - 1 Huddersfield (Brandon 21)
Sheff Wed (Brunt (pen) 31) 1 - 1Tranmere (Jackson 42)
Stockport 0 - 0 Brentford
Walsall 0 - 0 Torquay
Wrexham 0 - 0 Bournemouth

Swindon are now 2-0 down at Hartlepool.

Port Vale start brightly and Danny Sonner wins a free kick when tripped by Tommy Doherty but it comes to nothing. Mtthews has a mazy run thwarted by Brown and Doherty. Brooker breaks clear and tries a one-two with Heffernan but Heffernans touch lets him down. Sonner crosses to Billy Paynter who heads well wide as Lee Matthews challenges for the same ball. Brooker heads down to Murray but he is tackled. Heffernan wins a free kick by the corner flag. Joe Keith takes it but Goodlad claims well.

Bourenmouth have the lead at Wrexham. Arnalde has been sent off for Sheff Weds and Tranmere have taken the lead. Brentford lead at Stockport.

Bell and Keith combine well and Paul Heffernan goes down when challenging for Bells cross but nothing is given. Danny Sonner is booked for a challenge on Scott Murray. Doherty takes the free kick and a good header by Brooker is well saved by Goodlad. Heffernan goes down in the penalty area again to no avail.

Bournemouth are now 2 up at Wrexham. Barnsley have equalised at Hull. Now Wrexham have a goal back. Plymouth have equalised at home to Cardiff. Hull retake the lead through Craig Fagan.

Reid shoots well from distance and Phillips saves well for a corner. Mickey Bell defends a dangerous cross well. Port Vale are seeing a lot more of the ball in the City half. Lee Matthews shoots weakly at Phillips. But City break and Heffernan sidefoots under the keeper at the near post.

2-0 (Heffernan 68 mins)

Bradley Orr comes on in place of Joe Keith, Scott Brown switches to the left. His first touch is a shot having been put through by Brooker but Goodlad saves well again.

Hartlepool now three up against Swindon andStockport have equalised against Brentford.

Dave Coterrill comes on for Scott Murray. His first contribution is a jinking run and cross that Goodlad claims. Bradley Orr attempts a 30 yard chip but it drifts over. Another Cotterill run and cross leads to a corner. Mickey Bell has a low free kick saved by Goodlad who has had a good game except for Heffernans goal which went under his body.

Brentford are back in front at Stockport.

Brooker does well and feeds Cotterill whose cross appears to strike a hand but only a corner is given. Phillips saves Abbeys 8 yard header comfortably. Scott Brown is given the sponsors man of the match award. 4 minutes of injury time is announced.

FT 2-0

A comfortable but important win sees City up to 8th but the teams above them have all won. A win against Bournemouth on Tuesday and the play-offs become more than just a dream. Injury worry fo Lita but Heffernan is an able deputy.

Attendance 10,284

Teams

Bristol City
S Phillips, J Smith, L Carey, D Coles, M Bell, S Murray, T Doherty, S Brown, J Keith, L Lita, S Brooker
Subs: P Heffernan, L Wilkshire, C Fortune, B Orr, D Cotterill

Port Vale
M Goodlad, S Rowland, G Pilkington, S Collins, C James, L Reid, M Cummins, D Sonner, C Birchall, B Paynter, L Matthews
Subs: M Walsh, S Eldershaw, G Abbey, J Brain, M Innes

Ref: R Booth