The game started brightly for Vale who were giving as good as they were getting from Spartans with the game evenly balanced and only a excellent save from Carswell from Chris Anderson in the 18 min preventing the Vale from taking the lead.

However, the balance of the game changed in the 22 min when some slack passing by the Vale defence resulted in a Steven Lynch shirt tugging incident some 20 yards from goal, which referee Luke regarded as a goal scoring chance and subsequently gave Lynch a red card. Harsh to say the least as the opposing player was not directly in line with the goal and there were Vale players close by.

From the resultant free kick the ball came crashing back of the bar and a looping header from Corbett appeared to deceive Beveridge before ending up in the net, 24min.

Vale now facing an uphill struggle and in the 34 min Atkinson headed home at the back post.

Things got worse for Vale when after a sharp turn in the box by Atkinson resulted in Lewis tripping him. Allum netted the penalty, 44 min.

HT 3-0

Vale made a change at half time with Anderson being replaced by Graham.

Although Vale were getting more of the ball initially with only 10 men and the quality of the Spartans team they were starting to be given a torrid time and it was only a matter of time before they lost another goal, and that came in the 56 min when after a solo run, Wilson beat Beveridge with a well placed shot that went in via the post.

Vale did respond when Stewart had a close range effort brilliantly stopped by Carswell.

Scoring was completed in the 81 min when Brown netted with a well placed shot.

FT 5-0