The Port Vale groundstaff might well carry out an inspection of their goalposts to discover if someone has given them too thick a coat of paint.

For the woodwork intervened on no fewer than six occasions in this rip-roaring FA Cup First round replay at Vale Park where Gulls not only earned their round two debut, but also pulled off their first competitive success over Football League opposition.

Those hard-luck stories of hitting the post and bar by no means tell the whole story of this thrilling affair as generally Mark Goodlad, in the home goal, was called more frequently into action than his Island counterpart Ashley Harrison.

Not that Gulls' custodian didn't play his full part in this night of soccer history. His handling was superb throughout and he was called on to make a number of important saves as the game moved into the extra half-hour.

During that period, Gulls finally broke the stalemate of an encounter which was earlier in stark contrast to the original clash at Park Lane when these two sides shared eight goals.

On that occasion, the Islanders were in grave danger of being over-run in midfield for long periods, but manager Jeff King counteracted that last night by stringing five players across the middle of the park including winger Sammy Cooper.

With left-back Craig Davidson injured, King unusually went for three big men at the back in the shape of Micky Bennett, Mick Bodley and Steve Ward, while attacking duties were in the more than capable hands of Wayne Vaughan and Neil Gregory.

Vale held huge territorial advantage for the opening 25 minutes, but Gulls could have taken a first-half lead when Steve Tilson was just off target from John Kennedy's fine right-wing run and cross. Soon after, fit-again Mark Stimson glided a header from a Tilly free-kick just wide.

Canvey began to give their delirious fans hopes of a shock victory in a two minute spell after 52 minutes. First Cooper cracked the woodwork and then Vaughan was foiled by a finger-tip save from Goodlad, named Vale player of the match.

Alex Smith, a danger throughout, was the next to hit the woodwork and Vale colleague Michael Cummins suffered the same fate with a header.

There was a tremendous scramble towards the end of normal time when, after Canvey had conceded a free-kick, the referee moved it ten yards forward and into the box when the visitors failed to retreat enough. The woodwork twice thwarted Liam Burns - on one of the occasions Stimson, on the line, heading onto the bar and safety.

Gulls somehow managed to scramble the ball away, but Vaughan and Gregory were becoming an increasing menace at the other end and the former had an effort from Cooper's free-kick turned over.

In extra-time, Harrison sparkled with a 93rd minute save from Dave Brammer, but when Sagi Burton needlessly fouled Vaughan, Gregory was on hand to head home Tilson's perfectly placed free-kick.

Gulls fans were in triumphant mood now, while disgruntled home followers started flocking for the exits when hero of the hour Vaughan led a breakaway charge and made it 2-0.

Those who did go missed top scorer Tony Naylor pulling back a goal after four of the five injury-time minutes played, but happily for those glorious Gulls it was too little too late.

So Vale boss Brian Horton continued his unenviable record of failing to produce winning sides in two consecutive games in the 88 played since he took charge.

(Right) Get a grip - Vale goalkeeper Mark Goodlad fights to stop a Canvey attack

(Left) Sing if you're winning - Canvey fans get behind their heroes

By Dick Marshall

Reporter's e-mail: dick.marshall@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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