Stockport eased to a 1-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over League Two Port Vale thanks to Leon McSweeney's goal.

County too strong for Vale

Stockport eased to a 1-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over League Two Port Vale thanks to Leon McSweeney's well-taken early goal. Stockport just about had the better of the opening 45 minutes and deservedly held the lead at half-time. The hosts got off to a great start with an opening goal after just four minutes. Carl Baker played a cross field ball to Irishman McSweeney, and the young Irishman turned inside a Vale defender before smashing home a low shot from 15 yards. Baker then went close from 20 yards, but Vale ought to have levelled when Kyle Perry planted a free header wide from just eight yards. Stockport's Paul Turnbull glanced a header narrowly wide after 39 minutes. In the second half Stockport's Michael Rose cleared Luke Prosser's effort off the line, while at the other end James Vincent's shot was well saved by Chris Martin.