Report by SJG

PORT VALE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 18^th April 2026

ITS STALEMATE IN THE POTTERIES FOR THE LATICS.

Latics were left to settle for a point at Vale Park, despite heavy Port Vale pressure in the closing stages as the hosts made a final bid for Sky Bet League One survival. Wigan Athletic made the trip to Port Vale on Sunday afternoon, hoping to continue their fine form in Sky Bet League One and while the end goal of survival may have been achieved the Latics will be determined to finish the season strongly.                                      

However, they were to meet another big challenge as they come up against a Valiants side who are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table. 

Jon Brady’s side were playing their third fixture in the space of six days due to their run in the Emirates FA Cup which caused a fixture backlog. They followed up a goalless draw against Barnsley with a 3-1 win at Peterborough United on Thursday night, making it nine wins and six draws in all competitions since Brady's arrival in January.                            

Wigan made one change to his side from the midweek victory over Rotherham United, with Morgan Fox coming in to replace Jason Kerr (injury). Luke Robinson came in on the bench. Right from the start and in the knowledge that safety was already secured the visitors played with freedom, and after a Jensen Weir header looped over the Port Vale defence, Taylor raced after it and unleashed a volley that flew inches over the bar.                                                        

Just four minutes later, Latics had another opportunity. This time, the returning Morgan Fox latched onto a Fraser Murray corner and looked to guide into the top corner of Gauci's net, with the defender having to watch his header sail over the upright.                                       

Port Vale started to grow into the game a little more, but despite increased possession they failed to trouble Latics. Taylor again almost had his side in front following a nice, intricate reverse pass from Matt Smith into the feet of Callum Wright for a first-time ball across the face of goal. Taylor set his sights on the far corner, but the effort was met by the gloves of Gauci. The home side eventually found their first sight of goal in the one minute of added time that was presented by the Fourth Official when a long throw into the area found its way to the back post and the on-rushing Liam Gordon, who lashed at goal and high before the referee blew for the interval. 

Half Time; Port Vale 0-0 Wigan Athletic. 

It was turning into a frustrating afternoon in both penalty boxes with Latics and Port Vale unable to capitalise on any of the opportunities that fell their way.                              

Latics should have taken the lead shortly after the restart when Taylor latched onto an error and darted into the Vale area before choosing to unleash a fierce effort towards the near post and wide rather than square to the unmarked Wright.                                          

However, it was the home side who were increasingly dominating play as they searched for the all-important first goal. After working the ball from right to left, Vale eventually got it out wide to Ethon Archer, who sized up the opportunity to cross before finding the head of Ryan Croasdale for an effort at goal that the flawless Tickle collected.                                    

A late injury to Ryan Trevitt saw Latics playing the final minutes with ten men on the field and Wigan had Tickle to thank in injury time when Vale were throwing everything into attack. A cross from the right came into the danger zone, where Jordan Gabriel was able to flick a shot towards the near post, but Tickle produced an instinctive diving stop to keep the score level and earn a point for the Latics. 

Full Time; Port Vale 0-0 Wigan Athletic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Attendance; 7,348

Wigan Athletic (3-4-2-1) --- Tickle; Aimson, Fox, Carragher; Murray, M. Smith, Weir, Raphael; Wright; Costelloe, Taylor; Subs--- Savin (G), Moxon, Robinson, Bettoni (for Smith), Hungbo (for Raphael), Saydee (for Wright), Trevitt (for Costelloe).

Port Vale (4-2-3-1) ---- Gauci; Campbell, Hall, Humphreys, Hernandez; Gordon, Shipley; Archer, Garrity, Croasdale; Brown; Subs--- Sherif (for Brown), Lawrence-Gabriel (for Hernandez), Headley (for Gordon), Waine (for Croasdale), Hall (for Shipley), Walters, Amos (G).

Referee; Mr. Elliot Bell (Liverpool)