Report by Ben Davis

Pompey started this match without messrs Fenwick or Venables but the story of the season so far continued as it was before they left. With suspensions and injuries caretaker boss Keith Waldon had to make do with what players were left. On a more positive note American billionaire Vince Wolanin is close to buying Pompey after his meeting with Martin Gregory in Paris.
Mathias Svensson, Robbie Pethick and Sammy Igoe were all suspended. David Waterman returned to take Pethick's place at right wing back and John Aloisi past a late fitness test to take a place on the bench. Other than that it was the same team which lost to Aston Villa.
Vale didn't take long in putting Pompey under pressure as they forced two early corners which the defence dealt with comfortably. The pitch was badly cut up after Wednesday's FA Cup match with Vale lost on penalties to Arsenal. That lead to the ball bouncing awkwardly and made passing more difficult.
A free-kick by Thomson was flicked on by McLoughlin into Durnin's path but his cross from the left was too deep for Hall and Vale cleared. Hall's pace caused Vale problems shortly afterwards when he beat keeper Musselwhite and his cross from the by-line was picked up by Beesley who cut out the danger.
Pompey were defending well with the central trio of Awford, Thomson and Whitbread looking steady. Thomson made an important tackle on Talbot as the Vale midfielder looked to get through on goal. Shortly before the half hour the dangerous Ainsworth got in a cross from the right which took a terrible bounce in the area and Knight did well to claw it away. Awford though was slow to react giving Naylor the chance to get in a shot which he put right across the face of the goal.
A minute later Vale did have the lead with some more questionable defending. Mills' run towards goal was ended by Thomson who fouled the striker on the edge of the area in a central position. Tankard, who missed the vital penalty against Arsenal, got in a shot which beat the wall and Knight dived away to his right to keep it out. Naylor picked up the loose ball and laid it off to Corden whose cross was headed in by Talbot at the far post.
Vale briefly threatened again before Pompey struck back seven minutes later with a well worked equaliser. McLoughlin set Hall away on a chase down the right which the forward reached. He held the ball up before finding Waterman and the defender's pass into the box was picked up by Durnin who span and fired superbly past Musselwhite.
Ainsworth was giving Russell a tough time down the right and in the 40th minute the Pompey man was booked for fouling the winger from behind. Knight easily claimed Naylor's attempted over head kick from the free-kick.
Knight was called into action immediately as Tankard got in an early shot from 20-yards which the keeper dealt with. Pompey's new physio Jonathan Trigg then made an appearance when Awford needed treatment after Mills had gone in hard on the defender. Fortunately Awford was given the all clear to continue.
In the 56th minute Vale retook the lead with a goal which was down to the determination of Ainsworth. Mills' ball over to the right looked as though it was going out for a goal kick until Ainsworth somehow managed to pull back a fine cross which Mills headed powerfully home. McLoughlin got into the Vale area after the restart as Musselwhite came out to smother the midfielder's shot.
Mills had another chance when he received Corden's pass 20-yards out but the shot flew over. The Pompey defence were then back peddling when Ainsworth went on a jinking run which ended with Awford blocking a pass to Naylor. Durnin Then had a similar chance to his goal and this time Musselwhite saved with no trouble.
Jimmy Carter came on to liven things up as he replaced Waterman. Although it was Ainsworth who went the closed next as he ended a mazy run by shooting wide across the face of goal. Pompey were creating very little with Vale's defenders soaking up anything which was thrown at then. Foster had another subdued afternoon and was replaced by Aloisi as Waldon reverted to three strikers in an attempt to salvage something from the game.
Pompey's efforts were then dealt a huge blow when Thomson was sent-off for going in wildly on Ainsworth in the 78th minute. Thomson had initially kept hold of the ball ahead of Naylor who then uneased the centre back. The ball ran loose to Ainsworth who was brought crashing to the ground by a horrible challenge from Thomson.
Paul Hall managed to get some space in Vale's area but drove a shot wide of Musselwhite's goal. Late on Corden had a go from the edge of the area which went just over although his team-mates had already done enough to claim all three points.
Keith Waldon was understandably disappointed with his side's performance which had seem then fight back only to throw it all away. Next Saturday's game at Oxford is looking more and more important in the club's attempt to get away from danger. By then though 90 million pounds might in the club's kitty.