Rangers hit for six by Port Vale

Stafford Rangers boss Greg Clowes has promised fans goals this season after his side started their pre-season campaign at home to League Two side Port Vale.

Striker Liam Shotton struck the game's opener after just 13 minutes and, together with former Newcastle Town frontman Chris Budrys, proved a menace to the Vale defence.

Clowes said: "I thought the front two did very well, particularly in the first-half. They were big and strong and held the ball up well.

"They will score goals in this league – they made it very difficult for professional lads who play for a living so I expect them to do even better against defenders in our own league.

"We also have Alan Nagington who is a different type of striker, more of a fox in the box who gets in the right place at the right time.

"We just need to find the right combination."

Shotton's strike spurred Vale into action and they went in at the break with a 3-1 lead.

Two headers in a minute from John McCombe and Rob Taylor put them in the driving seat, before new signing Ben Williamson nodded in a Gary Roberts corner moments before the break.

Rangers goalkeeper Danny Read had denied the visitors at times in the first period and another good save early in the second-half stopped Doug Loft from adding to the tally.

Sean Rigg did net a fourth for the visitors on 66 minutes, before James Marsden kept home hopes alive with a thundering 22-yard free-kick.

But Vale, who were also playing their first friendly of the season, made sure of victory with a late brace from former Rangers midfielder Anthony Griffith and Loft, a splendid solo effort that saw him skip through a tiring home defence.

Visiting manager Micky Adams said: "We've conceded two goals from set-pieces which I'm not happy about and that shows me that there are things to iron out.

"Everyone has been given 45 minutes and came through unscathed so it has been a worthwhile exercise.

"I think it was our extra fitness and class which told in the end."