Roberts sends Vale clear at top

Gary Roberts scored the only goal as Port Vale beat Shrewsbury 1-0 to go four points clear at the top of League One.

Roberts cracked home an unstoppable 25-yard effort beyond Chris Neal 18 minutes from time after racing onto a pass from Lee Collins. Both sides used up plenty of energy in a frenetic opening spell but neither goalkeeper was troubled as defenders held the upper hand. The speed and trickery of Shrewsbury's Lionel Ainsworth posed the biggest threat in the first half and Vale's highly-rated defender Collins was kept on his toes. But the contest opened up in the second period as Shrews full-back Dave Raven's shot was blocked, before a header from Sean Rigg finally forced Neal to make a save. Roberts' goal sparked a spirited revival from Shrewsbury and defender Ian Sharps thought he had equalised when his header struck the inside of a post and rolled across the line. And Vale also survived another couple of almighty scrambles in their six-yard box before home fans were able to celebrate their fifth successive league win.