Valiants bow out of Carabao Cup in a five-goal thriller against Barrow.
Darren Moore made nine changes to his opening-day side with just Jesse Debrah and Ruari Paton keeping their place in the side that won 2-0 at Salford City.
The hosts took the lead inside the first minute when a throw-in from the right side wasn’t cleared by the Vale defence and Garner was on hand to poke home at the back post.
The Vale looked to reply immediately when Ruari Paton found Jack Shorrock in space down the left side. Shorrock raced into the box but fired straight at Paul Farman who raced off line to save well.
The hosts came close again in 19th minute when a corner was cleared as far as Robbie Gotts who volleyed over from the edge of the area.
Vale had another good opportunity in the 23rd minute when Benicio’s deep cross to the back post was met by Funso Ojo who saw his close range effort saved.
Vale’s pressure finally paid off in the 25th minute when Ruari Paton curled home a free kick from 25 yards to earn him his first competitive goal for the club in spectacular fashion.
Vale tails were up and they came close to going ahead when Baylee Dipepa cut inside from the left before taking aim. However, his low effort was comfortable for Farman in the Barrow goal.
As the game entered injury time, the Bluebirds had a good opportunity to go into the break with the lead. Kian Spence bundled his way into the box before losing possession, the loose ball fell to Adam Campbell who dragged his effort wide of the goal.
The second half took a while to get going but the hosts had the first shot of the half in the 63rd minute. Robbie Gotts won the ball in the offensive third before driving towards goal and shooting low, but Ben Amos comfortably saved down to his left.
That save proved vital as the Vale took the lead just moments later. Funso Ojo drove towards goal and then found Tom Sang on the edge of the box who thundered an effort into the bottom corner just moments after coming on as a substitute.
Moments later Barrow had a golden chance to instantly level. Emile Acquah cut inside into the box before forcing a good save from Amos. The rebound fell to Katia Kouyate who blazed over from 3 yards out with the goal gaping.
Second half sub Acquah was causing issues for the Vale defence and he eventually levelled the scores for his side when he rose highest to head a cross from the left side into the bottom corner in the 70th minute.
The hosts regained the lead in the 75th minute when Ben Jackson cut onto his right foot and arrowed a low strike into the bottom corner from outside the box.
The hosts looked to seal the deal when Dom Telford broke into the Vale half and curled an effort that looked destined for the bottom corner but it brushed the outside of the post and went wide.
TEAM NEWS
Barrow: Paul Farman, Dean Campbell, Neil Canavan, Kian Spence, Gerard Garner (Emile Acquah 61’), Robbie Gotts (Dominic Telford 70), Katia Kouyate (David Worrall 87’), Connor Mahoney (Elliot Newby 70’), Rory Feely (Neo Ecclestone 61’), Ben Jackson, Theo Vassell.
Subs not used: Will Stanway, Junior Teinsia, Sam Foley, Andrew Dallas.
Port Vale: Ben Amos, Baylee Dipepa (Andrew Buah 76’), Funso Ojo, Jason Lowe, Ruari Paton Tom Sang 61’), James Plant, Jesse Debrah, Jack Shorrock (Ryan Croasdale 83’), Kyle John, Ben Lomax, Benicio (Lorent Tolaj 45’)
Subs not used: Connor Ripley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, Logan Cousins, Louis Francis.
