Bristol City player ratings vs Port Vale: Naylor the bright spot as Reds otherwise poor in loss

Bristol Live’s Bristol City player ratings after the Robins crashed out of the FA Cup with an away defeat to Port Vale

07:00, 04 Mar 2026Updated 09:41, 04 Mar 2026

Bristol City’s Sam Bell, Tomi Horvat and Emil Riis react to Ben Waine’s winner at Port Vale(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Joe Lumley – 5.5

As has been the case in cup competitions this season, Joe Lumley was preferred between the posts for Bristol City against Port Vale. Outside of one moment where he was forced to palm behind for a corner, the 30-year-old had a good first half as he pulled off a smart save to deny Ben Waine from a tight angle.

Lumley had little to do in the second period and for much of extra-time; however, could he have perhaps done more for what proved to be the winner? Maybe he made Waine’s decision easy, but he had to leave his line to apply some pressure, so it feels hard to lay too much blame at his door.

Handed a second successive start after returning from his concussion-induced absence, Ross McCrorie found himself in a more defensive than usual position at Vale Park. Off the ball, the Scotsman did well on a couple of occasions to sweep behind Bristol City’s centre-backs to ensure passes in behind didn’t cause too many problems, and won most of his duels.

In possession, he was unable to impact the game in an attacking sense, with little of note coming down his and Sam Bell’s flank. No doubt, his withdrawal at half-time occurred to manage his minutes.

Noah Eile – 5

For so much of Tuesday’s trip to Vale Park, Noah Eile was probably Bristol City’s best defender as he seemingly won the majority of his duels and dealt with the difficult conditions comfortably in possession. However, the Swede will be disappointed with his role in the winner.

Having beaten Andre Gray to a long drop kick, Eile got the ball trapped under his foot, allowing Vale to break and Ben Waine to turn home. He perhaps also could have done more to clear the Valiants’ forward’s strike before it crossed the line, as he seemed to slow down at a crucial point.

Cam Pring – 5

Deployed as the left-sided centre-back in what, for the most part, appeared to be a back four, Cam Pring made life difficult for himself when he picked up a yellow card after just 13 minutes. More than once, the 28-year-old was caught under chipped passes, even if Joe Lumley was on hand to ensure such errors weren’t punished.

He did well to keep the Reds in the tie with a goalline clearance in extra-time, but couldn’t pull off the same heroics when he ended up in the net alongside Ben Waine’s winner. Is Pring a long-term solution at centre-back, particularly in a back four? I’m not so sure.

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Seb Naylor (off for Neto Borges, 85′) – 6

A debut for a new club is always a day to remember, particularly for a young player. While Seb Naylor will likely be keen to forget the result of his first Bristol City outing, the 20-year-old’s display was one of the only bright sparks on an otherwise miserable evening.

On the ball, the former Manchester City prospect looked at home, with his dead-ball delivery in particular catching the eye. Despite his smaller frame, defensively, he didn’t look out of place against a strong and physical Port Vale side. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see more of him between now and the end of the Championship season.

Sam Morsy – 5

Having spent much of the first half stationed deep alongside Bristol City’s backline, a half in which the Robins struggled to bring any tempo to their play, Sam Morsy appeared to be slightly more forward-minded in the second half. A couple of the 34-year-old’s chipped passes in behind caught the eye, and it was a shame they weren’t made the most of by the player ahead of him.

On a bobbly pitch against lower league opposition, it felt like the Reds needed someone to drive them forward from the middle of the park rather than the safer pair of hands provided by the Egyptian international.

(Image: Getty Images)

Max Bird (off for Jason Knight, 61) – 5

For Bristol City’s captain for the evening, the primary goal will have been to get a first start since September and some much-needed minutes in the legs. Although he saw a lot of the ball as one of the Robins’ two sixes, the 25-year-old was unable impact proceedings close to the Valiants’ goal – where he is typically at his best – often enough.

He seemed to have picked up a couple of more advanced positions in the second half, but was quickly withdrawn in order – no doubt – to manage his workload. It was good see him come through unscathed, but it feels like he still has more gears to click through.

Sam Bell – 4.5

Handed his first Bristol City start since January, Sam Bell was bright in the opening exchanges as he used his pace well on the right flank. As the first half wore on, his influence faded – something in the second half as his opposing full-back appeared to get the measure of him.

The 23-year-old looked more comfortable in a more central role in extra-time, but needed to do more with the chances that fell his way, particularly that volleyed effort that fired over the bar late on.

Scott Twine (off for Mark Sykes, 95′) – 5

Bristol City’s number 10 probably looked the most likely to make something happen during a first half in which the Robins lacked quality. On and off the ball, he worked hard – often dropping deep to assist Sam Morsy and Max Bird out of possession, when required.

Like most in red and white, Scott Twine didn’t, however, do enough in the final third, with some of his neat touches not suited to the bobbly Vale Park pitch. By no means the worst in City colours, but not at his best.

(Image: PA)

Delano Burgzorg (off for Tomi Horvat, 61′) – 4

Having struggled to impact proceedings off the bench against Blackburn Rovers and Watford, Delano Burgzorg seemed eager in the opening exchanges to have an effect at Vale Park, as he showed a willingness to press. However, as was the case at Ewood Park and against the Hornets, he left the field without leaving his mark on the contest when he was replaced early in the second half.

The Middlesbrough loanee only had 17 touches in his hour on the pitch, and it didn’t feel as though many of those came in the area of the pitch for which he has been brought to Ashton Gate to make a difference. Gerhard Struber needs more from him.

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Sinclair Armstrong (off for Emil Riis, 78′) – 5

While Sinclair Armstrong was much more involved than Delano Burgzorg and seemed to enjoy the challenge Port Vale’s backline posed, he also couldn’t produce the moment of quality Bristol City needed against Port Vale.

On more than one occasion, his final ball let him down after positive runs or good work in and around the penalty area. When he was presented with chances to score himself, he wasn’t able to test the Valiants’ backline and goalkeeper, both through hesitation and misfired finishes.

Substitutes:George Tanner – 5

Defensively, George Tanner went about his business well enough, keeping the tricky Ethon Archer quiet. In an attacking sense, he – like many others – was unable to carve out a moment of quality.

Jason Knight – 5

No doubt introduced to add a bit of bite and impetus to the Robins from the middle of the park, Jason Knight worked hard, but appeared slightly frenetic. The City skipper never really managed to grab hold of proceedings, and though he didn’t do too much wrong, he wasn’t short of his best.

Tomi Horvat – 6

On a pitch that brought others down to Port Vale’s level, Tomi Horvat managed to show sparks of his quality. The Slovenian international came close with a free-kick and carved out the best chance of the game for Sam Bell with a good cross. He nearly made the winner for Emil Riis in extra-time and will likely therefore have left Staffordshire disappointed to not have had a bigger impact on the end result.

Emil Riis – 5

Having been introduced when City were struggling to break through the Valiants’ block, Emil Riis didn’t have too much to work with, in an attacking sense. Was a willing runner and battled away in order to try and find both a winner and a leveller.

Neto Borges – 4

Introduced late on, Neto Borges had to do more to clear Ben Waine’s winner. The Brazilian was too close to the eventual decisive strike to not find a way to keep it out, as he was left in a heap on the floor.

Mark Sykes – 4

His cameo will be remembered for his late miss. The Ireland international had to score from just yards out, in a showing where his impact was limited.

Bristol City player ratings vs Port Vale: Naylor the bright spot as Reds otherwise poor in loss

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