A virtuoso performance by winger Gareth Ainsworth was instrumental in ending
Vale's depressing run of seven successive Nationwide League Division One
defeats.
Ainsworth terrorised the Pompey defence and his dominance was too much for
Andy Thomson, who was sent off for a terrible challenge on the former Lincoln
man 12 minutes from time.
The match got off to a moderate start with Vale struggling to make an
impression on the five-man Portsmouth rearguard.
But the contest sprang to life after midfielder Stewart Talbot had given Vale
a 29th-minute lead.
Alan Knight made a fine save to parry Allen Tankard's free kick but Wayne
Corden returned the ball to the danger area and Talbot planted a header high
into the net.
The visitors stormed back and equalised with their first shot on goal in the
36th minute.
Dave Waterman rolled the ball towards the near post and John Durnin lifted a
right-foot shot on the turn beyond Paul Musselwhite from 10 yards.
But Ainsworth, impressive in the first half, was even better after the break
and produced a terrific performance on the right flank.
And his persistence paid dividends in the 56th minute when he produced a
superb cross to set up Vale's second goal.
The ball was heading for a goal kick before the speedy winger sprinted after
it and retrieved a seemingly lost cause. His centre was inch-perfect for
onrushing Lee Mills, who steamed in to bury an unstoppable header.
Portsmouth simply could not cope with Ainsworth's strength and pace and he
went within inches of extending Vale's lead in the 73rd minute. Another surging
run left Lee Russell for dead but Ainsworth's shot flashed just wide of the far
post.
Ten-man Pompey staged a late rally but Adrian Whitbread failed to convert a
chance to equalise.
Managerless Portsmouth, in turmoil after Terry Fenwick's sacking and the
departure of director Terry Venables this week, remain rooted to the foot of the
table.
Teams
Port Vale: Musselwhite, Hill, Tankard, Talbot, Aspin, Beesley,
Ainsworth, Porter, Mills, Naylor (Foyle 90), Corden.
Subs Not Used: Stokes, Bogie.
Goals: Talbot 29, Mills 56.
Portsmouth: Knight, Waterman (Carter 69), Thomson, McLoughlin,
Whitbread, Awford, Hall, Simpson, Durnin, Foster (Aloisi 74),
Russell.
Subs Not Used: Perrett.
Sent Off: Thomson (78).
Booked: Russell.
Goals: Durnin 36.
Att: 6,028
Ref: M C Bailey (Impington).
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