An eight-game winless run from the end of November to the turn of the new year had dented aspirations that Port Vale would seal an instant return to League One. However, their 2-1 win over Salford City has elevated the team back into the automatic promotion picture.
Darren Moore’s side are in sixth place, just two points from third with a game on hand on the three teams directly above them.
They are just one point further back on Doncaster Rovers in second, having played two fewer matches.
It has taken some time for Rekeem Harper and Antwoine Hackford to become key components of this Port Vale team. However, the duo secured three points against Salford City with both on the scoresheet.
20-year-old Sheffield United loanee Hackford has been with the Valiants since August. After initially scoring twice inside his first five outings, he has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the starting line-up.
The player, who made two substitute appearances in the
Premier League in 2023/24 for the Blades, has now contributed three goal involvements in his last seven matches.
He was denied by a fine save from Jamie Jones in the first half but finished well through the keeper’s legs when played through by Ronan Curtis just before half-time.
The forward has scored four goals in eight starts and 18 total appearances in
League Two.
24-year-old Harper was once an England under-19 international and a key figure within the Baggies’ development squad.
Despite making over 50 appearances for West Brom, three of which were in the Premier League, his career has been on a downward trajectory.
After making a substitute appearance against Arsenal in 2021 he has had to contend with playing his football in the third tier before moving to Port Vale after leaving
Burton Albion in August.
After signing for the Valiants in November, it has been a difficult adjustment for the midfielder joining mid-way through the season
He did justify his place in the starting line-up against Salford City, pouncing on a mix-up in the away defence to double his team’s lead seven minutes after half-time.
Harper completed 81% of his passes and completed two tackles to prove that he has a role to play in this squad ahead of the League Two promotion run-in.
It had appeared for much of the early months that Port Vale would be one of the major players in the title race but Walsall have now created a gap and it is unclear if any side can maintain a run to catch the table toppers.
Doncaster Rovers currently occupy second place but there are question marks over them defensively. They have not been overly impressive in their last four outings, despite wins over Accrington Stanley and Morecambe.
AFC Wimbledon, Notts County and Bradford City look worthy opponents in the race for automatic promotion.
Port Vale recently beat Notts County in a major boost to their promotion chances and have to play their other two rivals between now and the end of the season.
A narrow defeat to Bradford despite a good showing and a win over Wimbledon highlights that Darren Moore’s in-form side have the capabilities to get results in the reverse fixtures.
Both of these matches came around the time of their difficult run of form. They can now point to players such as Harper and Hackford coming into form at the right time and star attacking duo Lorent Tolaj and Jayden Stockley to
return in the next few weeks.
Nathan Smith has proved instrumental in the team’s current eight-game unbeaten run since returning to the back three. Connor Hall has been one of the best defenders in League Two this season and the team have a solid base with these stars at the back.
Darren Moore has enough strength in depth to finish in the top three and with key players set to return to the starting line-up, supporters should be expecting a return to League One.
