Funso Ojo came off the bench to fire Port Vale into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2007 as they secured a 2-1 victory over Football League basement boys Sutton.
Matt Gray’s side had never won a match in the competition before this season, but their hopes of progressing were dashed by Ojo’s late 25-yard stunner at Vale Park.
Substitute Hisham Kasimu cancelled out Swansea loanee Josh Thomas’s opener before Ojo quashed any hope of penalties.
Dion Pereira went closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half as he was denied by goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
Thomas’s pace completed a quick-fire counter four minutes into the second half as he left the visitors’ defence for dead before rifling home.
Aiden O’Brien’s effort hit the crossbar before falling gratefully into the arms of Ripley.
But Kasimu made no mistake as he latched onto a long ball to fire Sutton level with 20 minutes left.
Jack Rose produced a good save with his legs to keep out Alfie Devine, but Vale were not to be denied as Ojo, who had been on the pitch less than 90 seconds, rocketed home the winner seven minutes from time.
