Good form in the Christmas period continued into an unbeaten January in the league, as the club climbed to within five points of the promotion places. In came forward Mel Charles from Porthmadog for a £1,250 fee. A 1–0 defeat at Gresty Road to Crewe Alexandra in front of an unruly crowd marked the first of a crucial seven game sequence against the promotion hopefuls. A win over Barrow and a draw at Stockport County were succeeded by five straight defeats, killing Vale's promotion hopes dead. They reversed the decline by doing the double over Rochdale within two days, including a 5–0 victory witnessed by 3,004 fans at Vale Park. In April, popular player John Ritchie was sold to Preston North End for £17,500. Mel Charles sidelined with a knee injury, Vale limped to the season's end without a win in their final five games. On 3 May, Stuart Chapman made his debut at the age of fifteen in a 2–2 draw with Lincoln City. Five days later, manager Jackie Mudie tendered his resignation as player-manager, citing 'personal reasons'.
