Saah howler denies Torquay

Saah howler denies Torquay

Published Sep. 1, 2012 3:16 p.m. ET

Brian Saah's bizarre own goal gave Port Vale a deserved 1-1 draw with Torquay at Vale Park in League Two on Saturday.

Ian Morris's first-half strike put the Gulls in front, but Vale were unfortunate to be behind and they claimed a point when Saah put through his own goal after 69 minutes.

A scrappy first-half came to life when Vale defender John McCombe scooped a six-yard shot over the crossbar from Jennison Myrie Williams' cross in the 32nd minute. But it was Torquay who went in front six minutes from half-time - just seconds after Vale were inches away from scoring themselves.

Visiting goalkeeper Michael Poke was in danger of tumbling over his own goal-line when he caught and then pushed out a high ball from Sam Morsy. Poke then flung himself in front of Ashley Vincent's follow-up effort and Torquay scored from the breakaway that followed.

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Vale were short of numbers at the back as Rene Howe slid a pass to Morris, who rolled a well placed shot inside Chris Neal's left-hand post from 14 yards.

But wave after wave of Vale pressure was rewarded in the 69th minute when Saah inexplicably headed Doug Loft's free-kick into his own net. Saah then almost scored a second own goal when he sliced an intended cross against a post as Poke looked on in amazement.

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