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Report: Port Vale	Posted by David Snowball at Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Brighton continued their recent resurgence in the league with the stalemate against visitors Port Vale, who boasted one of the division’s hotshots in striker Leon Constantine. It was the second game in succession that the Albion rearguard kept a clean sheet against a top-scorer, having defeated the now Wigan striker Caleb Folan’s Chesterfield the previous week. To be frank the first half was tedious and starved of quality with the visitors setting up defensively, obviously looking to claim a point. They did however earn a lot of early corners and a dangerous free-kick which the seagulls dealt with well. The Albion had the majority of the ball but didn’t capitalize on their possession or crosses. As Dean Wilkins acknowledged the side had lots of shots on goal, but failed to hit the target often enough. Proof of this came at the end of the first period when Dean Hammond headed straight at the young Vale ‘keeper when he really should have done better. The Albion showed some renewed vigor in the second period and continued to control proceedings, but, as in the first half, never really got in behind the full-backs - instead resorting to long range shots. The one time they did however, Jake Robinson was agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock. His one-two on the edge of the area took him into a one-on-one situation but his curved (Henry-esque) shot was inches wide of the far post. One goal would probably have been enough for either team to have won the game, but Vale’s attacking play was diluted by their lack of attacking impetus – only the front two showing any interest – so they were defiantly the happier team with the result. Brighton must acknowledge this as two points dropped rather than one gained, but there were positives. Not only the second consecutive clean sheet in the league but another run out for Nathan Elder who put himself about well and Adam El-Abd whose tackling and desire was very impressive. He appears to be straight out of the Charlie Oatway mould and his steel and determination should act as a catalyst for others. RHYS TURRELL Labels: League One, Port Vale, Rhys Turrell
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