Stevenage 0-1 Port Vale: Tom Pope scores late winner

Saturday 11 January 2020 18:46, UK

Tom Pope's late penalty secured Port Vale a 1-0 win at struggling Stevenage after Boro boss Graham Westley was forced to run to the match amid heavy traffic.

Westley is said to have left his car in Welwyn Garden City - approximately five miles on foot from the Lamex Stadium - but his pre-match jog went unrewarded thanks to Pope's spot-kick.

The defeat leaves Westley's side bottom with just two wins from 26 Sky Bet League Two matches.

Stevenage goalkeeper Paul Farman pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the hosts in the game, denying David Worrall twice in the opening eight minutes.

At the other end, Vale stopper Scott Brown produced a super stop to keep out Kurtis Guthrie, before denying Terence Vancooten's long-range strike.

Vancooten squandered a great chance after the break when he failed to convert a free header, while Farman did well to keep out Tom Conlon's free-kick.

With just two minutes to go, Conlon was hauled down inside the box and Pope sparked jubilant scenes among the visiting fans as he made no mistake from 12 yards.