Key Takeaways
- Rubin Colwill’s late header gave Cardiff a 1-0 victory and sent Port Vale down.
- Vale must now prepare for life in League Two after four games without a win.
- Cardiff had already secured promotion, but still celebrated a fourth straight win.
Port Vale’s six-year stay in League One ended in painful fashion at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday night, as a late Rubin Colwill goal condemned them to relegation.
The Valiants arrived in Wales knowing only maximum points from their final four matches would give them a chance of survival. Yet they rarely threatened an already-crowned Cardiff side and must now plan for campaigns in League Two.
The first half produced little excitement. Joel Colwill forced Vale keeper Joe Gauchi into the only save before the break, while Nathan Trott denied Ben Garrity’s header early in the second period.
With 11 minutes left, Chris Willock’s deep cross found Rubin Colwill unmarked at the far post. The forward headed down and in for his eighth goal of the season, sparking home celebrations and silent disbelief among the travelling Vale fans.
Manager Jon Brady had promised a fight after last weekend’s stalemate with Wigan, but his side again failed to score and their fate was sealed on the night.
Cardiff, promoted after beating Reading on Saturday, finish their League One schedule with confidence, having won four straight matches.