A DOGGED rather than spectacular performance saw Vale grind out three crucial points against an East Manchester side also desperate to maintain Premier Division status.
It was the hosts who adapted better to the windy conditions in the early stage with Vale unable to make the ball stick up front for any prolonged passages of play.
Having served warning from a string of corners it was no surprise when East took the lead on 17 minutes when their centre-half headed home a set-piece from close range.
Only some desperate defending from Lee Stott, Rick Young and Danny Moult kept the visitors at bay.
Midfielders Jack Barlow, Shaun Carey and Tino Blake established a much greater control of the central areas in the second half as Vale finally started to push East on to the back foot and create chances of their own.
Two goals in seven minutes secured the points for the visitors with substitute Ricardo Williamson grabbing the equaliser on 72 minutes with a well-struck 25-yard shot squirming under the keepers’ body before fellow sub James Rawlinson nodded home the winner following a Barlow free kick.
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