Port Vale can give Cambridge United and Burton Albion real scare now: View | OneFootball

What a difference three points make. Port Vale recorded their first win of 2024 - at the 14th attempt - with a crucial victory at Burton Albion, and now a host of other clubs will be looking over their shoulder to see if the Valiants can launch a Lazarus-style comeback and climb out of the League One drop zone.

The 1-0 win, courtesy of striker Ryan Loft's first League goal for the club, was the Burslem outfit's first away win since December and sets them up for a relegation run-in, which could culminate in a winner-takes-all game at Vale Park against Cambridge United on the final day of the season.

With Carlisle United seemingly already doomed, it looks as if it will be a shootout between five clubs to avoid the remaining three relegation places.

Relief for Darren Moore after key man departs

The relief among the Vale fans who made the short journey to Burton was clear to see. Defeat would have left Vale mired second-bottom in the table and cut adrift from The Brewers, but instead, fans are now looking up with hope.

New boss Darren Moore will also be a relieved man, finally getting his first victory at the ninth attempt, just days after Vale parted ways with controversial director of football David Flitcroft.

With a black cloud around the club lifted, staff and fans alike will hope the good feeling can continue with victory against Bristol Rovers, before Vale face three successive away matches at Northampton Town, Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United.

Port Vale's recent poor form matched by strugglers

Despite Vale's shocking run in 2024, the teams in and around them at the bottom of League One don't appear to be making much headway.

Only Fleetwood, currently in 23rd place, have recorded a victory in their last five matches, with a 4-2 win over Wigan, although they did draw the others. Pleasingly for Vale fans, it appears Cambridge and Burton are the teams really struggling after making managerial changes.

Former Vale forward Martin Paterson took over at Burton in January, but has only overseen three victories in his 13 games - and has only taken one point from the last seven games with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cheltenham.

Cambridge's season was derailed when manager Neil Harris left to rejoin Millwall, replaced by the experienced Garry Monk at the start of March. However, Monk has only taken one point from his three games, and lost 6-0 to Lincoln City and 4-0 to Reading.

League One form guide

Vale Park could witness last day spectacular

If Port Vale can revive their fortunes in the next few weeks, then the last day of the season won't have escaped eagle-eyed fans. It could be all to play for on April 27th at what would surely be a packed Vale Park, as they take on Cambridge.

It could revive memories of Vale's famous last-day win against Huddersfield Town in 1998 - a 4-0 win ensuring they stayed in the Championship, while bitter rivals Stoke City were relegated to the third tier.