Tom Pope’s tenth goal of the season wasn't enough to secure a win for Vale in the Emirates FA Cup as Jordan Green's 90th-minute equaliser earned Yeovil Town a replay, with a place in the third round still up for grabs.
Vale started the brighter of the two teams and it was a David Worrall free-kick that led to the first chance, but Gavin Gunning couldn’t direct his header on target and Sam Surridge managed to clear for the visitors.
With 11 minutes played, another delivery from Worrall caused problems for the Glovers’ defence, but Cristian Montano’s header was comfortable for Artur Krysiak to gather.
Pope then went close to opening the scoring eight minutes later as he diverted a Nathan Smith knock-down towards goal, only for it to drop inches wide of the near post with the goalkeeper scrambling.
Yeovil began to enjoy more spells of possession and a long throw-in routine almost saw them force Ryan Boot into a save on 28 minutes, but Vale’s defence stood firm. James Bailey’s initial volley was blocked by one of his own teammates before Francois Zoko’s follow-up was cleared by Tom Anderson.
Three minutes later, a swift counter from the Valiants allowed Gunning to hang up a cross that found Pope inside the area and he headed just off target under pressure. Another delivery - this time from James Gibbons – created an opportunity in the 37th minute, but Montano’s glancing header couldn’t quite find the top corner.
Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, the Valiants created their best chance of the half as Gunning sent a deep cross towards the far post. Pope then stooped to direct a header that was destined for the bottom corner, but Olufela Olomola threw his body in the way to deny him.
Following the restart, the home side looked to break the deadlock and some neat build-up between Worrall and Pope found substitute Anton Forrester on 48 minutes, but his header found the gloves of Krysiak.
With 51 minutes played, Tyler Denton profited from a mistake in the Yeovil defence to drive into the area, but he elected to square the ball to Pope instead of shooting and the visitors hooked the ball away from danger.
Vale’s lively start to the second half continued and another opening was fashioned just three minutes later, Michael Tonge chipping narrowly over from 12 yards after he managed to get on the end of a Forrester flick.
Those missed chances almost came back to haunt Neil Aspin’s men on 62 minutes as Surridge did well to bypass Smith down the right flank. The midfielder then cut a pass back to Otis Khan and his deflected effort fizzed just wide.
Up the other end just one minute later, the home side’s positive spell was rewarded as Pope put his side ahead. Some neat interplay found its way to Denton on the left wing and his pinpoint cross picked out the striker who made no mistakes with the finish, looping a header over the goalkeeper from close range.
As Yeovil looked to get back into the game, Tonge provided Vale with an opportunity to double their advantage as his corner was headed into the hands of Krysiak by Forrester on 79 minutes. The striker then had another sight of goal with five minutes left to play, but he could only drag a low strike just wide from 18 yards.
With less than a minute remaining, the Glovers then found an equaliser as Green stabbed the ball past Boot from close range, meaning the two sides will meet again in a replay at Huish Park.
Team Line-ups
Port Vale: Boot, Gunning, Anderson, Smith, Gibbons, Montano (Forrester 45), Tonge, Kay, Pugh © (Denton 45), Worrall (Harness 72), Pope.
Unused Substitutes: Hornby, Reeves, Barnett, Turner.
Yeovil Town: Krysiak, N. Smith, Khan (Green 69), Dickson, Zoko, Surridge, Bailey © (Gobern 69), Sowunmi, James, Olomola, Santos (C. Smith 83).
Unused Substitutes: Maddison, Worthington, Mugabi, Davies.
Attendance: 3,316