Port Vale 0-1 Chesterfield

Aaron Downes second-half goal sunk Port Vale and earned Chesterfield their first league win in seven games.

Downes met Darren Currie's cross with an unstoppable header after 54 minutes.

Vale captain Marc Richards crashed a shot against the bar after 20 minutes, but was sent off before the interval when he appeared to punch Downes.

Gregor Robertson should have extended Chesterfield's lead before Vale launched a fightback that almost brought Kyle Perry a late leveller.

Port Vale: Martin, Griffith, Owen, Collins, McCrory, Davidson, Brown, Howland, Glover (Dodds 74), Richards, Thompson (Perry 53).
Subs Not Used: McCombe, Stockley, Lawrie.

Sent Off: Richards (41).

Booked: Owen, Davidson, Dodds.

Chesterfield: Lee, Gray, Hall, Downes, Picken, Currie (Austin 87), Harsley, Lowry, Robertson, Lester, Ward.
Subs Not Used: Carson, Algar, Bowery, Boden.

Booked: Hall, Harsley, Lowry.

Goals: Downes 54.

Att: 5,011

Ref: Craig Pawson (Sheffield).