Dodds the Hero As Vale Progress

Last updated : 18 November 2009 By Foxy

Dodds grabbed what proved to be the winner midway through the first half after Boro captain Mark Roberts' dreadful backpass played him in.

Stevenage could have been a goal up early on when Yemi Odubade fired in a shot that Vale keeper Chris Martin had to punch over his own bar.

In the 13th minute Vale struck back but Lewis Haldane fired over from Doug Loft's long ball.

But Vale took the lead after 24 minutes when Dodds saw his initial effort save by the keeper but was first to react and headed the ball home from an angle to send the travelling Vale fans wild.

Early in the second half it looked like Mitchell Cole had equalised when he slotted the ball past Martin but his effort hit the post and was then cleared away.

Then twelve minutes from the end Odubade robbed Lee Collins but his cross missed Griffin by inches.

Stevenage substitute Darren Murphy flashed a shot wide in the closing stages but Vale hung on to claim victory.