A 17th minute strike by Luke Beckett gave Stockport their first win of the season.

It was no less than Carlton Palmer's side deserved as they continually wrested control of the game from Division Two's bottom side.

But it could have been a lot different if former stockport goal hero Brett Angell had done better in the third minute. Angell wasted a golden chance after a clever through-ball by Ian Armstrong set him free.

Instead of going for goal as he so often did in Stockport colours he opted to play the ball sideways to strike partner Steve McPhee, who was quickly stopped in his tracks by the Stockport defence.

Strong finish

A 17th minute slip by John Durnin allowed Keith Briggs to take the ball on the left and play the ball into the path of Luke Beckett, who took the ball in his stride and powered the ball past keeper Mark Goodlad who did manage to get a hand to the ball as it passed him.

Beckett's celebrations were all the more exuberant after the disappointment of last Saturday when he missed Stockport's penalty against Notts County last Saturday.

Vale's only danger came from Armstroing, who managed a couple of shots that kept keeper Lee Jones on his toes. Another mistake by Durnin a couple of minutes before the break let John Hardiker, making his first appearance of the season, take the ball on the edge of the area and sidefoot the pass to Briggs, who was a little off-balance and could only smash the ball over the bar.

Caught napping

County were almost caught napping at the start of the second-half when McPhee drove in a cross from the right, which Armstrong was just inches away from burying.

Ali Gibb had to be at his nimblest to turn the ball behind for a corner. Beckett had the opportunity to kill the game in the 62nd minute when he skilfuully played Brtiggs's ball around defender Sam Collins. He chose to go for goal himself with Ben Burgess screaming for the ball at the other side of the penalty area, but curled his shot just wide of the post.

Angell headed just over the upright as Vale pressed for an equaliser, Lee Jones made a good block at the neat post from sub Michael Cummins and McPhee volleyed over from close in.

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