Wolves 1 (Hemmings 42)

Port Vale 0

Wolves moved up to third in the Pontin's League table after a narrow victory over Port Vale with Ashley Hemmings grabbing the only goal of the game shortly before the break.

New loan signing Kevin Kyle was named as a substitute after completing his move to Molineux earlier in the day.

Vale started brightly and Kyle Perry fired wide from the edge of the box with the first goal attempt of the game.

Then Gary Breen had to turn behind a good cross from former Molineux youth graduate Shane Tudor who took the resultant flag kick himself. Defender Charlie O'Loughlin charged in but his header went over the bar.

Liam Hughes was too high with a cross-shot from the tightest of angles and then the striker failed with an acrobatic effort to reach Hemmings' knock back after a deep centre from Matt Bailey.

Stephen Gleeson volleyed wide following an Elliott Bennett corner before another former member of the Wolves youth team, Chris Slater, delivered a good cross that fell to Joe Cardle who wasted an excellent opportunity by hitting a wild shot that went out for a throw-in.

Bailey's flick header following a John Dunleavy cross ended up in the arms of Chris Martin and then the Vale keeper made an excellent save as he touched over Hemmings' drive from just outside the area.

Gleeson went off with a hamstring injury after 29 minutes to be replaced by Alex Melbourne who was soon involved with Martin saving his long range drive.

Then Hughes played in Mark Salmon who took a great touch but then slipped as he shot with the ball going straight to Martin.

Bailey's shot on the turn was saved by Martin but Wolves moved into the lead three minutes before the break when Carl Ikeme's long clearance fell to Hughes who held off a challenge from O'Loughlin before playing in Hemmings who confidently fired home from near the penalty spot.

Half-Time: Wolves 1 Port Vale 0

Kyle replaced Hemmings at the start of the second-half the opening minutes of which were largely devoid of chances.

Ikeme had to cut out a dangerous low cross from Tudor whilst Salmon's angled effort at the other end, after Kyle and Hughes had created the chance, was well saved by Martin.

Vale substitute Luke Chapman tested Ikeme with a low drive and Melbourne was wide with a first time shot as Wolves looked to stretch their advantage.

Dunleavy did well to head Ross Davidson's centre away with Chapman waiting for a slip but there was little else in the way of goalmouth action to enthuse the small crowd at the Bucks Head.

Deep into injury time, Salmon's looping header landed on top of the bar after he had connected with a Dunleavy centre.

Wolves: Ikeme, Dunleavy, Malone (Williams 86), Gleeson (Melbourne 29), Breen, Mulgrew, E. Bennett, Bailey, Hughes, Hemmings (Kyle 45), Salmon.

Unused subs: Lumley, Winnall.

Port Vale: Martin, Slater, Talbot, Miller, O'Loughlin, McGregor (capt), Tudor (Davidson 71), Richman, Perry (Lawrie 82), Glover, Cardle (Chapman 57).

Unused subs: Ransome, Edwards.

Referee: A. Hendley.

Attendance: 90.