Lincoln City made it a League One record of 29 matches unbeaten after brushing aside already-relegated Port Vale.
Goals in either half from Ben House and Rob Street were backed up by a clean sheet, delivering a 2-0 victory on an afternoon of celebration in Burslem. Port Vale certainly put a shift in, but they’ll start next season in League Two, while we’ll be in the Championship.
Ivan Varfolomeev, missing from the awards dinner through illness, was not involved after suffering some slight swelling of the knee. With no Tom Hamer either, it meant a place on the bench for Oscar Thorn for the first time since his injury, with Erik Ring and Kamil Conteh also both on the bench.
Vale included Onel Hernandez, once of Wolfsburg in their side, as well as one-time Imps target Jordan Gabriel on the right side of defence.
City started brightly and immediately looked to get at Port Vale, with Rob Street lifting a cross towards Ben House on five minutes, the striker’s downward header intended for Jack Moylan just running beyond the Irishman. The early intent continued two minutes later as Paudie Towler advanced down the channel and delivered for Moylan, who steered an effort goalwards that was turned behind. From the resulting corner, Deji Elerewe rose highest but could only direct his header straight at the keeper.
The breakthrough arrived on nine minutes and was no more than City deserved. Moylan was again involved, feeding House, who showed determination to work space on the edge of the box, weaving beyond a cluster of defenders before getting his shot away and finding the net to make it 1-0.
Port Vale’s first real involvement came around the 20-minute mark in slightly controversial fashion, as Onel Hernández beat Tendayi Darikwa, with the ball appearing to have gone out of play in the build-up. Play continued, Hernández picked out Ben Garrity, and his effort was deflected over, prompting Darikwa to be booked for his protests. It sparked a brief spell of pressure, with Rhys Walters soon firing over from range after Hernández had again been involved in the move.
City were forced onto the back foot for a short period, and on 22 minutes Conor McGrandles was booked for a foul on Walters as he looked to drive through midfield. The resulting phase saw Jordan Gabriel have an effort blocked, with Sonny Bradley and Towler both ending up on the ground after a coming together as they dealt with the danger.
From there, the game lost its edge. The tempo dropped noticeably, with little in the way of clear chances for either side as possession was frequently given away. It had the feel of an end-of-season contest, with neither team able to build sustained pressure.
City did fashion something from a set piece on 40 minutes, working a short corner between Darikwa, Conor Bayliss and Reeco Hackett before Moylan’s eventual cross was deflected behind. The second delivery came to nothing, however, as the half drifted to a close with City still holding a deserved 1-0 lead.
Port Vale did threaten late on, Hernandez the provider. He broke down the left and found Liam Gordon, but his shot was weak and blocked by Bradley, ensuring the Imps held the lead.
It was a tepid first half, one in which City shone bright early doors, but were often troubled by Vale. Would it have been the same had we needed something from the game? Possibly not, it certainly had an end-of-season feel to it, with just three shots from City, five for the hosts, but none of any real note.