Will Ferry bagged his first goal for Cheltenham Town after they defeated Port Vale 3-2 to ensure they win three games in a row in League One.
It meant that there would be no happy start for Darren Moore in charge of the Valiants.
After a very even opening period in the first half Port Vale took the lead on 26 minutes.Ā The Valiants captain Nathan Smith turned home a corner from Conor Grant leaving Luke Southwood in the Cheltenham net helpless.
It sent the away end into scenes as they looked for a first win in 2024. Cheltenham had numerous opportunities to equalise with Curtis Freestoneās header being cleared off the line, an excellent save by Connor Ripley denying Curtis Davies a goal and George Lloyd shooting at Ripley after he failed to clear his lines.
It was the turn of an experienced marksman in form who ensured Cheltenham go into the first half level. It was the former Forest Green strikerās third goal in four appearances for the club and the best of the lot so far.
A clever free kick routine saw Tom Pett feed the ball to Matty Taylor who scored a sensational strike past the keeper to send the Completely-Suzuki Stadium into raptures.
It ensured the scores went in level at half time.
Cheltenham were in the ascendancy and were the side most likely to bag the next goal but they were hit by a devastating counter attack by Vale.
Ethan Chislett was the bright spark of a pretty tepid performance and it was his running and desire that helped them take the lead.
He had tested Southwood multiple times in the first half and it was his shot that sent the Cheltenham defence into a mess.
His shot was palmed out by the 26 yard out but with James Wilson lurking Curtis Davies made a calamitous error turning the ball into an empty net to send Vale who had only one meaningful effort in the second half into the lead.
Their lead only lasted four minutes after an excellent strike by the on loan Barnsley centre back Jack Shepherd. A free kick was barely cleared and on the edge of the box Shephard scored a venomous hooked volley with his left foot to send the thriller level.
It was the 22-year-oldās first EFL goal and meant that Cheltenham were back level again.
In a quick double salvo Cheltenham turned the tables and took the lead for the first time after Ferry bagged his first goal for the club.
After beating multiple defenders the left wing back from inside the area hit a strike that proved to be the winner on 73 minutes.
This was only Ferryās second goal in professional football.
Port Vale huffed and puffed and bought on multiple subs but they didnāt make a difference as Cheltenham defended well and ensured they would get all three points.
This mean that for the first time since January 2008 in League One, Town won three games in a row in League One and closed the gap to the relegation zone to one point.
They are now just a point behind Charlton with two games in hand over the Addicks.
Port Vale who started the day above the home side now fall down to 22nd albeit they also have a game in hand over Cheltenham and three over Charlton.
