The Valiants suffered their second defeat of the season as they travelled to Rodney Parade to take on Newport County this afternoon, despite a Scott Brown penalty save.
Vale started the game well, pressing the Newport players and working hard to quickly regain possession, the chance of the game fell Richie Bennett as a ball was sent into the box but he couldn’t quite connect.
Newport forward Tristan Abrahams had the next opportunity as his shot from 20-yards was deflected out for a corner, that the hosts played short and had an effort go wide of the near post, before having a penalty shout waved away.
As Michael Flynn’s men settled more into the game they began to display their attacking prowess, but as the Vale defence kept through the early pressure.
After 22 minutes Ryan Haynes sent a long throw into the box which was flicked on towards the back post where it appeared to be going in until Adam Crookes cleared it off the line to keep the Vale level.
Cristian Montano had Vales first effort on goal, following a stoppage after Bennett went down, Montano’s effort was deflected wide and out for a corner that the Ironsides eventually cleared.
As the game continued, Newport maintained their pressure but the Vale were able to maintain their strong defensive display and deny them any clear opportunities at Scott Brown’s goal.
The remainder of the half saw much of the same, with Vale able to keep their clean-sheet thanks to solid defending with both James Gibbons and Crookes performing particularly well.
The second-period started how the last had ended but saw the Vale have the first real chance of the game 10 minutes in as Worrall got in behind the Newport defence but was quickly closed down by Tom King who blocked the attempt on goal and collected the ball.
The hosts had a chance of their own soon after as Tom Conlon’s pass was intercepted by Abrahams won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Josh Sheehan’s effort went just past the post.
Newport’s Abrahams had another attempt at goal minutes later but the Ironsides again failed to hit the target and test Brown.
In the 64th minute Newport nearly took a fortunate lead as Vale couldn’t get the ball out of their box and it pinballed around the six-yard box before finally deflecting off a Newport player and out for a goal-kick.
Montano had a good chance to put Vale ahead after 68 minutes as he had a free header after a good ball by Gibbons but couldn’t direct his attempt on target.
In the 72nd minute Haynes nearly put Newport ahead with a wonder strike, letting fly from nearly 30-yards out but was denied by the woodwork to keep things all square.
The hosts did break the deadlock soon after however, as Corey Whitely broke down the right-wing before delivering a low ball across the six-yard box which was missed by the first two Vale bodies before substitute Jamille Matt arrived to send the ball into the top corner.
In the 80th minute Newport were awarded an extremely soft penalty as Smith and Matt both went for a header with both men hitting the ground before the ref pointed to the spot.
Padraig Amond stepped up to take the spot-kick but Scott Brown made a brilliant save to deny Newport a two goal advantage.
Vale were pressing hard for an equaliser and in the 90th minute Leon Legge nearly found it but was denied by the crossbar before Newport went down the other end but Brown again made a good save to keep the game alive.
In added-time Jordan Archer was forced off the pitch with what appeared to be a shoulder injury following a hard landing when jumping for a header.
Port Vale: Brown, Gibbons, Smith, Legge, Crookes, Joyce, Conlon (84’ Evans), Worrall , Amoo, Montano (79’ Archer), Bennett (75’ Pope).
Unused Subs: Maddison, Kennedy, Cullen, Taylor.
Newport County: King, Leadbitter (75’ Whitely), Haynes, Labadie (62’ Matt), Willmott, Dolan, Amond, Sheehan, Abrahams (90’ Howkins), O’Brien, Inniss.
Unused Subs: Townsend, Maloney, Poleon, Ekpiteta.