Jordan Shipley scored the only goal as Port Vale beat Fleetwood Town to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Vale midfielder struck in stoppage time at the end of the first half to give Jon Brady a win in his first game in charge and take his side past this stage of the competition for the first time since 2013-14.
It was a morale-boosting victory for Port Vale, who sit bottom of League One, but have now recorded back-to-back wins following the departure of Darren Moore.
Fleetwood, however, were left to rue the loss of Lewis McCann who was carried off in the first half after receiving lengthy medical treatment.
Harrison Neal had the first real sight of goal after 22 minutes but the Fleetwood midfielder’s powerful effort was held well by Vale keeper Joe Gauci, before Jordan Davies blasted an effort over the bar for the visitors a few minutes later.
The hosts then had a great chance to take the lead shortly after the half hour mark when George Hall got in behind the Fleetwood defence before cutting the ball back to Devante Cole but his effort from close range was tipped on to the bar by David Harrington.
There was then a lengthy delay as McCann received medical treatment after a Ben Heneghan tackle.
The Vale defender appeared to win the ball and there was no foul given, but McCann immediately appeared to be in some distress and received treatment on the pitch for more than eight minutes before being carried off on a stretcher.
Vale threatened after the restart with George Byers flashing his effort across goal, with the sliding Ben Waine just inches away from making contact.
Shortly afterwards, however, the home side did take the lead with Shipley getting on the end of Cole’s cutback to guide the ball into the bottom corner.
Fleetwood’s Ethan Ennis went close a few minutes into the second period as his good footwork helped create some space for the shot, but he could only find the side-netting.
The visitors had a great opportunity to equalise with a little over 10 minutes remaining but Shaun Rooney could not get his header on target from six yards after connecting with a corner.
The final moments of the game were scrappy as Mo Faal went close for the home side amid some real Fleetwood pressure on the Port Vale defence.
Indeed, Pete Wild’s team had a chance to take the game to extra time when Ennis smashed an effort across goal but substitute Matty Virtue could not divert the ball on target from close range.
