Jack Lankester nets late Crewe equaliser as 10-man Port Vale extend lead at top

Ten-man Port Vale extended their lead at the top of League Two to four points, despite conceding a late goal to draw 1-1 with in-form Crewe.

A stunning volley from 17-year-old Jack Shorrock put Vale ahead early on and despite Rekeem Harper being sent off shortly after the break, it looked as though Darren Moore’s side were going to hang on for maximum points.

But substitute Jack Lankester earned the visitors a share of the spoils with a stoppage-time equaliser to extend their unbeaten league run to eight matches as they moved up to third.

There was less than three minutes on the clock when Shorrock opened the scoring, catching Rico Richards’ looped cross perfectly to fire the ball from the edge of the box into the top corner.

Crewe looked threatening in their search for an equaliser, but Vale came close to doubling their lead in the 28th minute as Richards dragged a shot just off target having latched onto Ethan Chislett’s pass.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men early in the second half, with Harper receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Omar Bogle.

Crewe began to really up the pressure and they nearly drew level through Matus Holicek, who shot narrowly wide either side of the hour mark.

Ryan Cooney’s effort from distance forced a great save out of Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley as the Railwaymen continued to pile forward.

And they were rewarded for their perseverance in stoppage time as Lankester, who had come off the bench, guided the ball home from inside the penalty area to secure a precious point.