Port Vale's fate was sealed at Cardiff City Stadium as Rubin Colwill's 79th-minute header condemned the visitors to a 1-0 defeat and relegation to League Two. The Vale squad needed a miracle scenario - winning all four remaining matches while hoping rivals Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon dropped points across five fixtures. Manager Jon Brady had vowed his team wouldn't give up the fight after last weekend's goalless draw with Wigan.

Cardiff, who had already secured promotion to the Championship with a 3-1 win at Reading four days earlier, dominated proceedings despite limited first-half action. Nathan Trott made a brilliant save three minutes after the restart to deny Ben Garrity's header from a corner. The home side eventually broke the deadlock when Chris Willock curled a perfect cross to the far post where Rubin Colwill headed home.

The defeat represents a significant fall for Port Vale, who will now compete in League Two next season. Vale's attacking struggles continued with another 90 minutes without scoring, sealing their fate despite Brady's pre-match promises. The club's supporters face the prospect of supporting their team in the fourth tier of English football for the first time in several seasons.