WANDERERS (3-5-2).

JAMES TRAFFORD…8.

Second-half save from Harrison was world class, even if he argued otherwise. Helped out with some good claims from crosses and set pieces when the pressure was on.

GETHIN JONES…6.5.

There were a few rushes of blood which added to the stress levels after Santos’s dismissal but generally, he dug in with a great defensive effort.

RICARDO SANTOS…6.

The incident which landed him a second yellow was a nonsense. After picking up the first booking, though, he seemed to take it personally. Was always going to be tough from there.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…8.5.

Superb defending in the second half. Read the game, timed his tackles and blocks with perfection, matched the physical challenge of Proctor and Co.

CONOR BRADLEY…7.5.

Just continues to impress. Shame that he had his attacking instincts curbed because he had been a great outlet on the right. Looked shattered towards the end.

AARON MORLEY…6.5.

Went close with a thunderous effort towards the end but the game never settled enough for him to have a real influence. Just had to keep working away in the heat.

MJ WILLIAMS…6.

Had one shot blocked on the line and then embarked on a thankless afternoon and shielding and protecting. Not a glamorous job. But then that’s life sometimes for MJ.

KYLE DEMPSEY…7.

Of the central midfielders he had the greatest influence, managing to chip in with the defensive work and put some incisive passes through at times.

JACK IREDALE...8.5.

Man of the match. The Australian defender had been impressive for Wanderers so far but this was an ice cool display on a day where the heat was inescapable. Composed, deliberate, and completely on-point.

DAPO AFOLAYAN…5.

Not his day. Had one shot tipped around the post and just seemed to be getting to grips with the game when the sending off occurred. Over-complicated things early on.

AMADOU BAKAYOKO…5.5.

Had a big chance after half time where hesitancy seemed to cost him. Baka just had to chase lost causes after that.

Subs: Aimson 7.5, 45 (for Afolayan) – Added a real solid centre just when Wanderers needed it.

Bodvarsson 6.5, 66 (for Bakayoko) – Worked hard to try and make things stick.

Sadlier 79 (for Bradley), John 79 (for Dempsey).

Not used: Dixon, Lee, Kachunga.

Port Vale (3-4-1-2): Stevens; Forrester, Smith, Hall; Cass, Ojo, Conlon, Benning; Garrity; Proctor, Harrison.

Subs: Massey 45 (for Forrester), Walker 59 (for Conlon), Holden 68 (for Proctor) , Pett 73 (for Cass).

Not used: Stone, Jones, Charsley.

Referee: Ross Joyce – 3/10 – Never had control of the game. Made a poor decision on Bakayoko’s disallowed goal, then another on Santos’s second yellow.

Attendance: 10,277 (3,076).