1960, Port Vale gave 'one of the finest performances in their history', beating high flying Second Division outfit Cardiff City 2–0 at Ninian Park, and 'thoroughly deserved' their Third Round victory. In round four, 'the defence took the honours' in a 1–0 win at second tier Scunthorpe United. The fifth round held eventual Second Division champions Aston Villa, who ran out 2–1 winners at Vale Park. Their fine cup form did not transfer over to the league however, and a mid-table position finished the 1959–60 season. Stan Steele was an ever-present for the third season running. The club meant business in 1960–61, as proven by a £10,000 attempt to sign Villa's Gerry Hitchens. In January, Albert Leake left for Macclesfield Town, leaving Roy Sproson the only surviving member of the legendary 1953–54 outfit. After Stan Steele was 'rested' following 195 consecutive appearances and consequently put in a transfer request. In March 1961 he moved to West Brom for a £10,000 fee. Cliff Portwood's 26 goals helped the club achieve a seventh-place finish. In preparation for 1961–62, Steele was bought back from The Hawthorns for the same price he was sold for. However, a 'shock' came with the same of Cliff Portwood to Grimsby Town for £6,000. Manager Low believed the team was 'capable of promotion'. On 2 October, 22,895 witnessed Czechoslovakia defeat Port Vale 3–1. Later in the month £6,000 was spent on bringing Colin Grainger from Leeds United. On 27 January, Vale visited Second Division Sunderland in the FA Cup fourth round, almost 50,000 fans witnessed £50,000 Brian Clough effectively contained by the Vale defence as a goalless draw saw the "Mackems" pay a visit to Vale Park. In the replay, Vale recorded a 3–1 win in 'a magical piece of soccer history'. In the fifth round the club were defeated 1–0 by top flight Fulham. Another mid-table finish and small profit ended the season. The club's poor start to 1962–63 left a heckled Stan Steele transfer listed. On 30 October Low shocked the fans with his resignation, even more surprisingly old boss Freddie Steele was reinstated. The "Steele curtain" returned to Vale Park, as the team went 525 minutes without conceding a goal, ironically this run was ended by Ronnie Allen, now with Crystal Palace scored an otherwise meaningless consolation goal. The previous season's top scorers Bert Llewellyn and Arthur Longbottom were sold to Northampton Town for £7,000