A Tom Pope header helped Port Vale see off the threat of Walsall this afternoon.

The game was poor throughout, with both teams unable to find the breakthrough that they needed until the Pope goal.

Carl Dickinson floated in a tempting cross from out wide in the 28th minute, and Pope was on hand to head the ball home from close range.

Walsall were without top scorer Tom Bradshaw, and their lack of goal scoring threat showed as they struggled to hit many shots on target.

Vale's 1-0 victory sees them rise to 14th place in the league, one place below Walsall, who could have entered the playoff spots had won today.