Vale's fifth win in six home games ensured they kept top spot as Steve McPhee grabbed himself a double and Sam Collins grabbed a 'rare' goal against Peterborough.

The Vale striker who struggled to find the net last season scored a goal in each half to take his tally for the season to six.

Port Vale team: Delaney, Pilkington, Collins, Armstrong, McPhee, Paynter, Lipa, Burns, Boyd, Cummins, Brown. Subs: Brisco, BridgeWilkinson, Brain, Littlejohn, Birchall

Peterborough team: Tyler, Gill, Legg, Arber, Farrell, Clarke, Newton, Kanu, Boucaud, Burton, Thomson. Subs: Nolan, St Ledger, Logan, Pearce, Wood


Ian Armstrong reurned to the starting line up, along with Michael Cummins, but there was no sign of Steve Brooker.

Skipper Sam Collins won an early header inside the Vale six yard box as the visitors looked to hit Vale with an early goal, but home suporters didn't have to wait long before the action switched to the other end.

The referee missed what appeared to be a clear push on Billy Paynter by former Vale defender Sagi Burton and the loose ball fell to Steve McPhee.

The young Scot spotted his chance and hit a half volley towarsd the top corner and was agognisingly close to putting Vale in front with only 145 seconds on the clock.

McPhee, playing the middle than in recent games, due to the absence of Brooker, was a willing runner up front for the Vale, supported by a lively looking Armstrong.

McPhee got his reward as early as twelve minutes when he ran straight at the Peterborough defence and beat Tyler with an angled shot which struck the 'keeper's right hand post before nestling in the back of the net.

McPhee couldn't quite connect cleanly with his head as a right wing cross came in from Pilkington a couple of minutes later, but Vale were looking the more dangerous of the two sides in attack.

Collins was booked for dissent after a free kick was awarded when Clarke appeared to fall over, as the two tussled for the ball just outside the area, much to the annoyance of the home fans.

The visitors wasted a golden opportunity to level the scores on 25 minutes when Gill missed a simple chance, three yards from goal,

The ever dangerous Clarke almost wriggled his way past three Vale defenders inside the box. The ball was knocked from his feet at the vital moment, leaving Gill clear to shoot, but the chance went begging.

Although Armstrong was more than willing to run back and help out when the visitors were on the attack, he needed to contain himself more when Vale were going forward, as too many Vale moves broke down due to the winger being flagged offside.

The visitors again went close ten minutes before the break, when Lipa got up well to nod away a throw from Gill and Newton smashed the loose ball just inches over Delaney's crossbar.

Vale began to put pressure on at the other end, winning two quick corners, but they still couldn't find their way past a resolute Peterborough defence for a second time, for a much needed two goal cushion.

Delaney was forced to go down sharply at the other end, as the threat of former Vale loanee Clarke continued to cause problems.

With half time fast approaching, Mark Boyd came close to adding a second for the Vale when his effort from outside the box went over.

Half Time: Vale 1 Peterborough 0

Just after the restart McPhee almost scored a second but was tackled by Kanu.

McPhee then ran on to a through ball from Pilkington, showing Burton a clean pair of heels, but Tyler got down to cover his shot.

Paynter ran about fifty yards shoulder to shoulder with Farrell before getting in a tackle to put the ball out for a throw, then was promtly booked after the referee awarded a free kick against him.

Vale had another lucky escape when Newton beat Brown at the byeline and picked off the lone figure af Thomson towards the far post.

His half volley was heading for goal, but Liam Burns was on there to clear the ball off the line with Delaney well beaten.

The Posh were flying at the time, and were looking good to put themselves level, as Vale were forced to defend deep into their own half.

They again went close when a half clearance from Burns was met by the right foot of Boucand, forcing Delaney to fingertip the shot over the crossbar.

A rather low crowd of 5, 495 were on there feet however in the 67th minute when Vale doubled their lead through a McPhee sidefoot tap in.

Cummins delicate crossed from the right which was met by the head of Armstrong, who easily beat the 'keeper, but the ball thudded against the crossbar and away.

The winger didn't stop to feel sorry for himself however and was quickly on to the loose ball, playing a pass accross the face of goal for McPhee sidefoot it into the roof of the net from very close.

Peterborough made a triple substitution fifteen minutes from time, with Logan, Pearce and Nolan replacing Farrell, Legg and Newton.

Littlejohn was given a run for the Vale eleven minutes from time, as Brian Horton gave Armstrong a rest.

Newton fired narrowly over the bar as the visitors showed they were far from finished, then Paynter hit one over the bycars crossbar at the other end from 15 yards following a corner kick taken by Boyd.

Neat interplay between Littlejohn and Paynter earned Vale another corner as the Valiants went in search of a third goal four minutes from time.

And sure enough, when the ball was whipped in by Boyd, Sam Collins rose highest to smash home. McPhee got the final touch, but it is extremely doubtful his skipper will let him claim a third goal.

Full Time: Port Vale 2 Peterborough United 0