Vale 0 Swindon 2

Vale fail to produce any fireworks after turning in a distinctly average performance against Paolo Di Canio`s International all-stars of Swindon Town. Micky Adams kept faith with the side that was defeated at Oxford last week, but was rewarded with a poor performance offering little guile, pace or creativity. The visitors hardly dazzled with quality themselves, though in all honesty, didn`t need to get out of second gear at any stage.

For all the virtues of the current system, Vale simply lack any pace or width to trouble sides at home. All too often, the Robins simply dropped deep, allowing Vale`s three centre halves plenty of the ball, but with little idea of what to do with it. All of which resulted in long balls to the willing, but isolated, Tom Pope.

It was from some unselfish work from Pope that resulted in the opening chance of the game, but Marc Richards failed to keep his left footed effort on target. That was about as good as it would get during the opening 45 minutes. The energetic Doug Loft was the next to threaten, dragging his shot wide following more good work from Pope.

Di Canio`s decision to start with Lander Gabilondo paid dividends, as the Spanish winger caused the Valiants all sorts of problems. Afforded too much space on either flank, Vale already were given warning of his ability after Tomlinson was forced to parry his fierce shot. Gabilondo then supplied the unmarked Lukas Magera, who fired home from the edge of the area under absolutely no pressure from the Vale defence.

Pope responded with Vale`s best chance of the half, finding space well inside the box before being denied by Foderingham in the Swindon goal.

Vale switched to 4-4-2 for the second half. Roberts replaced the ineffective Rigg, with Loft moving to the right, and the unfortunate McDonald making way for Rob Kozluk, who slotted in at left back. Any hope that the move would revitalise the home side were killed off immediately, as Adam Yates gave away a needless penalty for a push on Magera. Substitute Mehdi Kerrouche expertly converted the spot kick to all but seal the points for the away side.

The Valiants failed to create any meaningful opportunities during the remainder of the game. Louis Dodds proved to be one of Vale`s brighter performers after replacing Pope, but little inspiration came from his team mates, with confidence visibly draining from several players as the game wore on. On the evidence of the last two home games, the January transfer window can`t come quickly enough. Whether Adams has any scope to freshen and improve the squad will be the first real indicator of Blue Sky International`s much heralded investment. Either way, an improvement will be needed for next week`s FA Cup tie with Grimsby Town, or else the Mariners will be the latest in a line of non league sides to embarrass the Valiants over recent years.