Loft brace secures the points for Port Vale

A Doug Loft brace has secured all three points for Port Vale against Colchester United at Vale Park.

The home side took the lead after 15 minutes through Loft's strike, after Daniel Jones found space down the right before crossing for the midfielder to fire home.

Vale almost doubled their advantage shortly after, when Jordan Hugill raced onto a through-ball, though he couldn't keep his effort down to test Sam Walker.

Colchester's best chance of the first half fell to Dominic Vose, who pulled off a fine piece of skill before curling a shot just wide of the far post.

Shortly after the restart, Loft doubled the visitors' lead after being played in by Carl Dickinson to make it 2-0 with 53 minutes on the clock.

Chris Neal was forced into a smart save at his near post as Colchester chased a goal, though Vale held out for all three points.