Funso Ojo’s 87th-minute goal, tapping in from close range after Josh Thomas was initially denied by Ashley Maynard-Brewer, clinched a 3-2 victory over Charlton.
James Wilson and Ethan Chislett struck within the space of two minutes early in the second period to wipe out Alfie May’s opener.
Vale, smashed 7-0 by Barnsley on the opening day of the season, won on the road in the league for the first time since January 1.
Manager Crosby said: “This is a different group. It is in its infancy. There are only four players in the 18 who played here four months ago – that’s 14 new players. They deserve all the rewards.
“Credit to the players, it was a really good response to a poor opening 30 minutes when we lacked a little bit of energy and kept turning the ball over to Charlton.
“I said to the players at half-time: ‘We’re lucky it’s 1-0’.
“It was an excellent second half. It’s a great three points for us.
“It’s a good start, that’s all it is. When you’ve been defeated like we were in the first game, I said to the boys that the only way is up.”
On the winning goal, he added: “Josh has that power and pace when the game gets a little more stretched. He makes it difficult for the defender (Nathan Asiimwe), who makes the error. Josh showed great composure and Funso runs from I don’t know how far away – that’s what we train for, for those moments.”
It was a fourth straight defeat in all competitions for the Addicks, who drop to 18th in the standings.
Teenage striker Daniel Kanu netted for the second successive match to make it 2-2 in the 71st minute, but unconvincing defending once again was punished.
Charlton manager Dean Holden said: “We got a little bit careless with the ball. We invited the pressure on.
“After you get the first goal I want to see us take the game away from the opposition.
“The two goals we’ve conceded are really poor errors. You’ll never find me talking about individuals.
“We got back into it with a wonderful header from Daniel Kanu. We’ve created enough to win the game.
“We’re disappointed with two defeats at home in four days – no-one wants to see that. There’s no magic formula, we’ll keep working.
“We should have more points on the board. We’re very light, in terms of numbers. We’ve got what we’ve got at the moment.
“There are no excuses. The free week this week is good. The fans will have no complaints about the commitment – there are just glaring mistakes which we’re being punished for.
“The majority of the first period was played in their half. When you’ve only got a slender lead you are always at the mercy of a mistake or two.”
Garrity came off the bench to score in the 84th minute – his third goal of the season – and move Vale up to second in League One.
It came shortly after Sam Hoskins spurned a sitter to put the Cobblers in the driving seat after a backs-to-the-wall performance.
Vale are now unbeaten in nine games in all competitions since an opening 7-0 hammering at Barnsley.
“Our performance was exceptional,” said Crosby.
“It is difficult to break a team down when they put everyone behind the ball.
“They changed formation four times to try and stop us. But we kept probing and trying to move them around.
“The guys from the side of the pitch came on to impact the game. That’s what they are asked to do. There is a lot of frustration from some that they are not in the team.
“We have people on the side who can change a game and want to play. I get that. It is my decision.
“I won’t always get it right but they come on and do the job. We have a competitive group who deliver every single day.
“Our performances are a reflection of that. We just kept trying to find a way.
“It was a focus for recruitment in the summer to make ourselves more robust, more reliable, fitter and to run at high speed more often.
“When we train, we train at full pelt and that’s what you see out there on a Saturday.”
Northampton are still trying to find their feet in the third tier after last season’s promotion.
Boss Jon Brady said: “We know how tough this level is. Sometimes you are going to come away and not dominate the ball.
“They suffocated us on our shape and it was hard to stop their momentum. But we need to be better all round.
“It was a hell of a strike by Garrity. But we should be tighter and not give him an opportunity to shoot.
“You have got to be better defensively at this level. And we probably had the best chance of the game before that.
“Usually Sam puts that away for us. If it goes by him it goes through to Mitch (Pinnock) and he taps it in.”
Crosby took over for the last four games of the League One season after Darrell Clarke was sacked following a winless seven-game run.
The 50-year-old joined Vale in 2021 as Clarke’s assistant and also had a stint as acting manager from February to May 2022 as the club gained promotion from League Two.
Director of football David Flitcroft said: “We are delighted to announce Andy Crosby as our first-team manager.
“He has shown and proved in his time as assistant manager, acting manager, and in support of the manager that he has the qualities required to lead the football plan as we move forward in our next chapter of progression on and off the pitch.
“He is highly regarded and respected by the staff and players and we feel he is ready for this opportunity.”
Vale won one and lost three of Crosby’s games in charge as they finished four points above the relegation zone.
Alex Iacovitti’s 63rd-minute goal for Vale was cancelled out by Greg Leigh’s equaliser three minutes into time added on at the end.
That looked to be how the game would finish, with Oxford undoubtedly the happier with the result having had both Mark Harris and then Leigh sent off moments after his goal for a second yellow card.
However, in the game’s dying seconds, eight minutes into stoppage time, Fin Stevens fouled Ben Garrity and Devine stepped up to calmly convert the penalty to earn Vale a memorable victory.
Crosby said: “All credit to the players, it was a great response in the second half.
“In the first half we allowed a really good team to dominate the ball and couldn’t get out of that block.
“The sending-off of Harris allowed us to get a control of the game. We got ourselves in front from a set play, which we had spoken about pre-game, because we had looked to see if we could identify potential weaknesses they might have. We’re disappointed we couldn’t hold on to that.
“Their threat was mainly in transition and we knocked off a bit in the box, and then the game is looking like we have maybe lost two points.
“But then we find a great pass in the final third, Ben (Garrity) takes a lovely touch too when facing their goalie and gets brought down – and I’m thinking all three of our penalty takers have come off the pitch!
“I’m looking around and thinking ‘make a decision quick’ – and all credit to Alfie, to take that penalty in that pressurised situation says a lot about him and epitomises everything about my group.”
Oxford head coach Liam Manning admitted it was a difficult result to take, saying: “There’s huge frustration from my point of view.
“All credit to Port Vale for the win, but to me it was that we lost it.
“We have spoken a lot about behaviour and discipline and really that went out the window in the second half.
“I’ve seen the video of the Mark Harris incident and it does appear to be an elbow, so I’ve got no complaints about that. The ref’s performance, to my mind, contributed to all that.
“We showed spirit and intensity to get back into the game – you can’t then have another mad moment as we did.
“Let’s be honest, we don’t often train with nine men. It was an emotional afternoon for everyone.
“I was pleased with elements of the first half, when I thought we were in control, but in the second half we started too slowly.
“I’ve spoken with Mark (Harris) – we shouldn’t be giving the officials the opportunity to make those decisions. We shifted the momentum away from us with those sendings-off.
“Yes, you don’t want something like that, but it did happen and it’s then a question of how you respond. The main thing is that we stay focused.
“But let’s remember, we have had a terrific run of results and the biggest thing for me is remembering just how far we have come.”
Pilley will be sentenced next month after being convicted on four counts of fraud.
The 52-year-old was found guilty last week of two counts of fraudulent trading, fraud by false representation and being involved in the acquisition, retention, use or control of the proceeds of fraudulently mis-sold energy contracts.
Pilley was remanded in custody and he will be sentenced on July 3.
Also chairman of BES Utilities, Pilley had been involved in High Court litigation with Cheshire West and Chester Council, but lost a civil court fight over investigating allegations of mis-selling.
Pilley had been the chairman and owner of Fleetwood for 20 years and overseen the club’s rise from non-league status to the English Football League.
In announcing the boardroom changes, Fleetwood, who finished 13th last season, said it would be “business as usual” while working through the transition of ownership.
A statement on Friday afternoon read: “Fleetwood Town can confirm Andy Pilley has stepped down as chairman and director of the club.
“Steve Curwood, who has been the club’s CEO for 15 years, will be appointed interim chairman with current vice chairman Phil Brown to join the board as a director.
“The club have this week entered discussions with the EFL in relation to requirements surrounding a change of ownership and control.
“The club would also like to clarify there will be no other changes to the board before the planned change of ownership.
“In the meantime, the club will continue to operate business as usual and will make a further announcement in due course.”
Collins opened his Posh account after a summer switch from Exeter as the hosts made the breakthrough after 26 minutes.
His 25-yard half-volley flew into the far corner with the aid of a helpful deflection off Rovers defender Josh Grant.
Anthony Evans landed an ambitious effort from long range on the roof of the Posh net as Rovers failed to find a leveller before the break.
The deficit doubled two minutes into the second half when David Ajiboye pounced for his first Football League goal in Posh colours.
Ajiboye was on hand to finish after Rovers keeper Matthew Cox had superbly denied Hector Kyprianou following a fine pass from Ricky-Jade Jones.
Posh striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, who saw a club-record return to Rovers collapse on transfer deadline day, prevented his suitors from hitting back with a goal-line clearance to deny Aaron Collins from point-blank range.
Substitute Jevani Brown’s strike against a post was the closest Rovers came to replying before keeper Cox prevented further damage late on with another stunning stop from Kyprianou.
The former Leeds and Sheffield United defender arrives at Oakwell after Michael Duff left for Swansea.
Last season, Duff took the Tykes to the Sky Bet League One play-off final, where they lost against Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley.
Collins, 39, moves back to South Yorkshire having enjoyed a successful spell in the United States at the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be stepping back into the EFL and even more so to be joining a club of this stature,” Collins said on Barnsley’s website.
“Everything I do will be aimed at repaying the faith shown in me by the owners and (chief executive) Khaled (El-Ahmad) and of course giving the Barnsley faithful a team that they can be proud of.
“I am fortunate to be working with a squad that just achieved a play-off final, but understand there is a lot of work to be done if we want to replicate that success and go a step further.
“I can’t wait to get started and work on getting this club back to where it belongs.”
Collins added: “I would like to say a huge thanks to the Tampa Bay Rowdies for supporting me in exploring this opportunity. Without all the staff and players’ incredible hard work this would not have been possible.”
Barnsley chief executive Khaled El-Ahmad is confident Collins can take the club forward as they look to challenge for promotion back to the Championship.
“We are happy to be able to bring Neill to Oakwell to work with our staff and continue upon the foundation we implemented at the start of the last campaign,” El-Ahmad said.
“The primary focus is now allowing Neill to settle in and begin to build relationships with the staff and players at Oakwell and commence preparations for the upcoming season.”
The second leg was settled by a first-half goal from Liam Kitching at Oakwell, the Barnsley defender powering home a header from Luca Connell’s fine cross.
Bolton rallied for a spell following the break, but they were unable to find a way back into the game.
Barnsley head coach Michael Duff named an unchanged side while Bolton counterpart Ian Evatt made two changes following the drawn first leg, with Dan Nlundulu and George Thomason restored to the starting line-up.
Barnsley threatened first when Connell fired in a low drive from distance early on which was comfortably saved by James Trafford.
At the other end, Nlundulu sent in a shot on target but it failed to trouble Harry Isted in the Barnsley goal.
Kitching then tried his luck from the edge of the area which was straight at Trafford, but the visiting keeper was made to work harder by Herbie Kane soon after as head to stretch to gather the midfielder’s low shot.
Kitching was back in the action in the 24th minute, and this time it resulted in the deadlock being broken.
Connell whipped in a superb cross and Kitching climbed above his marker on the edge of the six-yard box to thump a header past Trafford.
As Barnsley looked to build on their lead, Adam Phillips saw his free-kick crash against the defensive wall.
Bolton made a strong start to the second half and Conor Bradley looked for a penalty after going down under a challenge inside the area, but their appeals fell on deaf ears.
Aaron Morley then tried a shot from distance which went wide while George Thomason had a goal-bound effort blocked as the visitors continued to push for an equaliser.
However, Barnsley remained a threat and Phillips went close to putting the hosts further ahead midway through the second period when his dipping volley from the edge of the area hit the bar.
Bolton were then handed a great chance to get back on terms when they were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area, given away by goalkeeper Isted following a defensive mix-up.
The ball was touched to Morley but he fired over the bar.
During six minutes of added time, Bolton threw players forward in a desperate bid to force an equaliser that would have sent the tie to extra time, but they failed to test Isted.
And Jordan Williams threatened to add a second goal for Barnsley just before the final whistle, firing wide after Bolton were caught on the break.
Harvey Knibbs gave Reading the lead early on through a close-range header but Herbie Kane levelled approaching half-time from a penalty.
Devante Cole, Barnsley’s top scorer, fired home a superb long-range strike in the 80th minute and Max Watters settled the issue seven minutes later.
It was the hosts who made the better start, going in front in the fourth minute following an intricate free-kick move involving three players.
Lewis Wing clipped the ball into the Barnsley area, centre-back Tyler Bindon nodded it on and Knibbs headed in for his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.
During the first half, play was twice interrupted briefly by tennis balls being thrown on to the pitch by home fans – their latest protest against club owner Dai Yongge.
Barnsley improved after their sluggish start and were rewarded six minutes before the break when Bindon was adjudged to have handled Sam Smith’s attempted clearing header and Kane coolly slotted home from the spot.
Sam Cosgrove forced a smart save from David Button after the interval.
But the home keeper could do nothing about Cole’s powerful drive – his 12th goal of the season – nor Watters’ tap-in from a cross from fellow substitute Fabio Jalo.
Collins brought on striker John McAtee and midfielder Adam Phillips, who were both ill in the build-up to the game, and McAtee responded with a quick-fire brace, his ninth and 10 League One goals of the season, before Luca Connell sealed victory with a third for the Tykes.
“There was no question that we needed more urgency in our play, we needed a bit more quality and that was the message at half-time,” Collins said after his side trailed to Joe Powell’s goal at the break.
“We felt that we had to make changes and we know that with Macca (McAtee) he brings that intensity which is what we love.
“Him and Adam Phillips both reported unwell yesterday and were unable to train, but it was great that they made themselves available.
“We know that a lot of the time it is about what you can do late on in games and to have them and to be able to bring on that sort of quality helped.”
Victory extended Barnsley’s unbeaten away record to 11 games, a club record.
Collins added: “Ultimately are we frustrated in the last couple of weeks that we have let the chances of automatic promotion go?
“Definitely, but I just said to the players that there have lots of fantastic Barnsley teams in my lifetime and today we have broken the away record.”
Burton boss Martin Paterson cut a frustrated figure as he tried to analyse his side’s second-half “capitulation” that saw them slump to a sixth straight home defeat.
“First half was really good.” Paterson said. “Should have been two or three to the good.
“We missed opportunities but finally got that goal that we have been working for and we go in at half-time 1-0 up against an excellent Barnsley side at this level. Then you saw what happened, it was a capitulation.”
Paterson was Collins’ assistant earlier in his career and knew exactly what to expect in the second half.
“Last thing I said to the players at half-time was that there was a storm coming, because I know Neill. He is going to be aggressive and put his subs on early that are quality at this level and that showed in the period of time that they scored three goals.”
With five games to go Albion are looking over their shoulders at the bottom four and Paterson knows he needs more from his side in the remaining games.
“The performance levels are there in moments, but we can’t seem to get a complete performance,” he said.
“I am trying to be really creative with some things, but the truth is that we don’t score in moments when we have teams under pressure and that is hurting us.”
Herbie Kane opened the scoring from the spot in the 20th minute after the Reds were awarded their first home penalty since March 2021, with Callum Styles adding a second just minutes later.
League One top-scorer Devante Cole netted a third with 15 minutes to play to leave the Tykes two points behind Oxford.
Barnsley were awarded a penalty after Barry Cotter’s strike from the edge of the box was blocked by the arm of the onrushing Carl Winchester.
Kane stepped up, firing to the right of Marko Marosi to give his side a 1-0 lead.
The Tykes swiftly doubled their advantage five minutes later. Cole countered down the right and crossed to Styles who slotted home from inside the box.
The Shrews nearly pulled one back on the hour mark. Cheyenne Dunkley headed goalwards but Nicky Cadden was there to clear off the line.
Cole made it three in the 75th minute. Playing a neat one-two with Max Watters, he found himself with just the keeper to beat and slotted past Marosi.
The Tykes hit the front after just four minutes at Sixfields when goalkeeper Lee Burge miscued a clearance straight to Callum Styles, who took advantage with a brilliant first-time volley.
Liam Roberts saved well from Jon Guthrie’s header as Northampton sought a quick response and the Barnsley goalkeeper also kept out Mitch Pinnock’s well-struck volley.
The home side had reacted well to the early setback and applied pressure with a string of corners and set-pieces but they struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Northampton’s frustration continued in the second half and, as they became increasingly desperate, Barnsley threatened a second goal on the break with Styles missing a good chance and Burge saving superbly from Devante Cole’s header.
Cole was not to be denied two minutes from time, though, when he ran the length of the pitch to score Barnsley’s second and secure all three points, with Louis Appere’s stoppage-time struck nothing more than a consolation.
Jack Aitchison and Reece Cole both netted first-half goals for their side, while Mael de Givigney scored a late header for the Tykes.
Aitchison broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when the home defence failed to deal with a looping ball, allowing the former Barnsley man to control and finish from the right of the box.
Gary Caldwell’s side doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Cole was afforded space on the edge of the box to curl left of Liam Roberts.
Barnsley should have halved the deficit in the 61st minute. Adam Phillips picked up the ball on the edge of the box and struck the crossbar with a thunderous effort.
Sam Cosgrove shot narrowly wide just seconds later as the ball was crossed back into the box by Nicky Cadden.
Cosgrove blazed another effort over the bar in the 84th minute when the ball fell his way a few yards out.
Neill Collins’ side pulled one back in the 87th minute when De Gevigney headed home from inside the box.
Luther James-Wildin opened the scoring before John McAtee and Herbie Kane hit back for the hosts.
Boro broke the deadlock just four minutes on the clock when Barnsley goalkeeper Liam Roberts parried Jamie Reid’s effort into the path of James-Wildin to tap home.
Steve Evans’ side were gifted an opportunity on the half-hour mark when Corey O’Keefe’s poor backwards pass was intercepted by Jordan Roberts, who flashed an effort across the face of goal.
Barnsley equalised in the 32nd minute when Callum Styles’ long ball over the top found McAtee in behind. The Luton loanee controlled and lobbed Taye Ashby-Hammond with an audacious effort from the edge of the box.
McAtee could have added a second just two minutes later after he was played through on goal by Devante Cole, but Ashby-Hammond rushed out to make the save.
Neill Collins’ side took the lead in the 70th minute when Kane received the ball just inside the opposition half and drove forward, seeing his deflected effort loop in from the edge of the box.
The Tykes made an ideal start by opening the scoring inside seven minutes when Nicky Cadden was slotted in by Corey O’Keeffe and fired into the far corner.
That lead was doubled in unconventional style after 33 minutes when Cadden’s corner was met by a Cambridge header before ricocheting off Mael de Gevigney and back past Will Mannion for the 24-year-old’s first career goal.
Cambridge did provide a threat, with Liam Roberts keeping out a Jack Lankester effort and denying Gassan Ahadme in the final moments of the first half.
In a decisive passage of play just before the hour, strong Cambridge appeals for a penalty for a foul on John-Kymani Gordon were waved away, and within seconds Barnsley added their third when Callum Styles played in Max Watters, whose effort went in under Mannion.
Seven minutes from the end Jon Russell completed the scoring, firing an excellent finish from outside the box following Josh Benson’s pass.
Garrity had only been on the field nine minutes when he cracked a low right-footed shot from 20 yards for his third goal of the season.
Until his breakthrough, Andy Crosby’s in-form side had endured a frustrating afternoon against Jon Brady’s stubborn Cobblers.
Despite conceding the majority of possession to the home side and creating fewer shots, Town almost took the lead against the run of play.
Patrick Brough beat the offside trap and crossed for Sam Hoskins but Northampton’s usually reliable marksman fired over the crossbar from eight yards.
Vale, whose latest success moved them into the top two, started lively. Ethan Chislett had one effort turned away by Lee Burge though Kieron Bowie retaliated for Town with an effort stopped by Connor Ripley.
Boss Brady introduced three substitutes at half-time but it was Crosby’s shuffling of his own pack that paid dividends with Garrity’s matchwinner.
The home side took the lead with their first chance of the game, Joe Powell’s corner whipped perfectly onto the head of striker Beryly Lubala, who guided his effort into the back of the net on 16 minutes.
The goal seemed to ignite Shrewsbury who had chances to level soon after as Jordan Shipley and Max Mata squandered presentable opportunities, blazing their shots wide of Max Crocombe’s goal from close range.
Bobby Kamwa had a great chance to put the Brewers two goals to the good when the ball came to him on the left of the penalty area early in the second half, the winger cutting in on his favoured right-foot before his goal-bound shot was tipped over the bar by Marko Marosi.
The Brewers defence stood strong as the game wore on and numerous long balls were repelled by Sam Hughes and John Brayford to ensure Burton picked up all three points for the second time in four days.
The on-song Us kept the pressure on league leaders Portsmouth with their impressive victory at the Lamex, coming from behind to secure all three points.
Captain Elliott Moore had already cleared Carl Piergianni’s header off the line before Stevenage’s in-form striker Jamie Reid opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the season in the 15th minute, tapping in from Kane Hemmings’ pass.
But Leigh opened his account for the Us just eight minutes later, hooking home the rebound after Billy Bodin’s effort hit the bar.
The Jamaica international then blasted the visitors in front 10 minutes after the restart with a powerful half-volley after turning inside the box.
Elliott List was denied an equaliser by a super save from James Beadle with 15 minutes to go before Moore secured the points as he nodded home Josh Murphy’s cross.
Sonny Carey’s first-half strike proved decisive to leave Neil Critchley’s men six points off sixth place.
Blackpool came flying out of the blocks, taking the game to their opponents and almost went ahead early on as Cambridge defender Mamadou Jobe nearly put through his own net and Ryan Bennett blocked a shot from Carey.
The hosts finally got their reward after a sustained period of pressure when Carey curled his effort into the bottom corner following Karamoko Dembele’s lay-off.
Jake Beesley then headed just over, and Carey hit the side netting as Blackpool remained in the ascendency up until the break.
Cambridge came close early in the second half, Gassan Ahadme headed Danny Andrew’s free-kick towards goal but Dan Grimshaw made a fine save to deny him.
Elias Kachunga had a great chance to equalise late on after Macauley Bonne slipped him through, but he hit the inside of the post.
The unbeaten Tangerines shared the spoils with Leyton Orient at Bloomfield Road, the promoted visitors claiming their first point of the season as a result.
Home striker Shayne Lavery came closest to finding a breakthrough, hitting the post in the 56th minute and seeing a late effort flash wide, while Orient goalkeeper Sam Howes was also in fine form.
And Critchley knows his side will have to find their cutting edge if they are to start turning draws into victories.
“Similar to the other night [against Port Vale], we’re just lacking that last bit in the final third,” he said.
“That little bit of quality, intelligence, a bit of luck, something falling for us.
“It is a frustrating 0-0 in a game we’d really be looking to have taken three points from.”
Despite having the better of the chances overall, Blackpool were grateful to goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw for keeping out Ruel Sotiriou’s header as Orient threatened.
Grimshaw also denied Theo Archibald from the edge of the area just after the half-hour mark as the hosts recorded a fifth clean sheet in as many matches in all competitions this season.
“I thought we started the game really well, we were on the front foot with a lot of regains,” Critchley added.
“We created good chances, forced a great save from the goalkeeper, and then we didn’t quite maintain that.
“They had a couple of chances, one through our mistake, one through a good bit of play from them.
“So the game wasn’t quite the way you’d want it to be.”
Critchley’s opposite number Richie Wellens hopes the hard-fought result turns into a turning point for his side while he felt they could have had more, with a penalty appeal turned down and George Moncur spurning a late opportunity.
“That was more than a fine display,” Wellens said.
“I think at times, in patches, we were really, really good.
“Our season starts now with the first point and first clean sheet.
“Defensively, we performed a lot better than what we have done in recent weeks in terms of our intensity getting to the ball, making sure there is no free headers or no free shots in or around our box.
“There a lot of positives to take from that.
“I think we should have won the game. We had the two best chances, one where Joe Pigott is about to put it into the net, and I think it’s a penalty, and George Moncur, with five or six minutes to go. We should score that.”
