Rubin Colwill’s eighth goal of the season in the 79th minute finally broke the deadlock at Cardiff City Stadium, with Port Vale’s 1-0 defeat sealing their relegation to Sky Bet League Two next season.
Vale manager John Brady said his team would not give up the fight after last weekend’s goalless draw with Wigan, but another 90 minutes without a goal sealed their fate.
Port Vale traveled to the Welsh capital to take on a Bluebirds side who secured their return to the Championship with a 3-1 win over Reading four days earlier, but the team must win all four of their remaining games and hope Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon fail to pick up points to stay alive.
Port Vale lost against Cardiff and were relegated to League Two.
There was little to no meaningful action in the opening 45 minutes, with Joel Colwill forcing Joe Gauci into the Bale goal for the only save of the first half.
The home side needed a fine save from Nathan Trott three minutes after the restart to deny Ben Garrity’s header from a corner kick.
Josef Sarek and Joel Colwill scored twice in front of goal, and just after the hour mark Chris Willock curled a cross to the far post for Rubin Colwill to head home.
