Port Vale’s late fightback was not enough as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at home against Doncaster, extending their winless run in League Two to three matches.

Vale supporters booed on the final whistle as their team slumped to another defeat, despite being promotion favourites.

Vale found themselves on the back foot early in the game, with Doncaster taking the lead in the 16th minute. Luke Molyneux capitalized on a lofted pass from Billy Sharp, controlling the ball expertly before smashing it past Connor Ripley.

Midway through the first half, Doncaster nearly doubled their lead, but Owen Bailey’s header from Jordan Gibson’s delivery sailed over the crossbar. Vale punished the visitors for their missed chance on the half-hour mark when Ryan Croasdale latched onto a through ball from Lorent Tolaj and calmly finished to level the score with their first shot on target.

However, the joy was short-lived for Vale. Doncaster regained the lead just moments into the second half when Molyneux set up Sharp, who made no mistake after Ripley had initially denied him with a brilliant save. Vale responded positively and almost equalized again when Connor Hall’s glancing header from a Sam Hart cross narrowly missed the target.

Doncaster extended their advantage in the 59th minute, with Molyneux scoring his second of the match after being played through on goal by Gibson. Vale continued to press, and they came close to reducing the deficit when Jayden Stockley’s looping header was dramatically cleared off the line by Jay McGrath.

The home side did manage to make it 3-2 in the closing stages after Tom Anderson pulled down Stockley in the box, and Ethan Chislett calmly converted the penalty. Despite a spirited late push, Vale couldn’t find an equalizer, leaving manager Darren Moore frustrated against his former club.

The defeat sees Vale remain winless in their last three league outings, a disappointing stretch for a team aiming to climb the League Two table.

Port Vale’s late fightback was not enough as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at home against Doncaster, extending their winless run in League Two to three matches.

Vale found themselves on the back foot early in the game, with Doncaster taking the lead in the 16th minute. Luke Molyneux capitalized on a lofted pass from Billy Sharp, controlling the ball expertly before smashing it past Connor Ripley.

Midway through the first half, Doncaster nearly doubled their lead, but Owen Bailey’s header from Jordan Gibson’s delivery sailed over the crossbar. Vale punished the visitors for their missed chance on the half-hour mark when Ryan Croasdale latched onto a through ball from Lorent Tolaj and calmly finished to level the score with their first shot on target.

However, Vale’s joy was short-lived. Doncaster regained the lead just moments into the second half when Molyneux set up Sharp, who made no mistake after Ripley had initially denied him with a brilliant save. Vale responded positively and almost equalized again when Connor Hall’s glancing header from a Sam Hart cross narrowly missed the target.

Doncaster extended their advantage in the 59th minute, with Molyneux scoring his second of the match after being played through on goal by Gibson. Vale continued to press, and they came close to reducing the deficit when Jayden Stockley’s looping header was dramatically cleared off the line by Jay McGrath.

The home side did manage to make it 3-2 in the closing stages after Tom Anderson pulled down Stockley in the box, and Ethan Chislett calmly converted the penalty. Despite a spirited late push, Vale couldn’t find an equalizer, leaving manager Darren Moore frustrated against his former club.

The defeat sees Vale remain winless in their last three league outings, a disappointing stretch for a team aiming to climb the League Two table.