Dodds brace lifts Vale spirits

A late double by Louis Dodds eased Port Vale's pain as Micky Adams' side beat Burton Albion 3-0 at Vale Park.

The win came on the day Vale filed to go into administration on Friday and extended the visitors' winless run to 12 matches. Vale dominated most of a tight first-half first-half with Marc Richards wasting an 18th minute chance when he headed Paul Marshall's corner over the bar from six yards. Both players were heavily involved again two minutes before the interval when Richards atoned to give Vale the lead with his 12th goal of the season. Burton goalkeeper Ross Atkins made a tremendous save after Sean Rigg met Marshall's free-kick with a firm header, but Richards was on hand to tuck away the rebound. Albion had offered nothing as an attacking force in the first period and Vale should have doubled their lead five minutes after the break when Dodds shot wide of a gaping net. Vale rode out a short spell of pressure and Dodds wrapped up a deserved victory when he struck in the 86th and 88th minutes. He got the faintest of headed touches from Marshall's excellent free-kick delivery for his first, then prodded in a close range finish from Tom Pope's perfect downward header.