The Vale were held to a 2-2 draw at Vale Park to start off 2020, in what was an exciting affair against the Silkmen.

The visitors were first to strike at goal, driving at goal straight from kick-off, but Scott Brown was able to comfortably collect Arthur Gnahoua’s tame effort.

Richie Bennett put pressure on the opposition goalkeeper early on, challenging Owen Evans as he emerged from his box but a defender was able to collect the loose ball and launch a counter-attack where a low cross was pounced upon by Brown.

As the game entered it’s seventh minute, Cristian Montano drove forward with the ball from his own half and as he entered the box looked to pull the ball across goal, but it was blocked out for a corner.

Five minutes later the Silkmen saw a good chance go knocking, the ball was curled into the box and Joe Ironside headed over the bar from close range.

The Vale went straight down the other end for a chance of their own, David Worrall curling in a cross where it found Richie Bennett at the back post, but his header was caught by Evans.

Vale won a free-kick on the left flank after Worrall and Montano combined well to start a counter-attack that saw Scott Burgess flick it on to Bennett who was brought down as he began to pull away into space.

With 17 minutes on the clock the Valiants got their breakthrough, Worrall did excellently down the left-wing before cutting into the box and back onto his left-foot where he dinked a cross towards the far post, catching Evans out and giving Vale the lead as the ball dropped into the top-right corner.

In the 26th minute, a long ball forward was chested down by Bennett to the feet of Jake Taylor, who shifted the ball right before curling a shot towards the bottom corner, forcing a good save from Evans.

Montano continued to cause problems with his attacking runs, driving across the edge of the box, riding four challenges and beating six men before laying the ball to Burgess who had his shot blocked by a Macclesfield defender.

The Silkmen were persistent in their search for an equaliser, sending the ball long to Joe Ironside, but Nathan Smith continued to win every battle and prevent the striker from firing towards goal.

Emmanuel Osadebe made a strong run towards the Vale box where he set up Gnahoua who lashed a wild effort over the bar.

It was James Gibbons who had the first attempt of the second period, the ball came down to him to hit on the volley but his effort curled just high and wide of the far top corner.

The next opportunity fell to Richie Bennett, when Burgess drove down the wing and into the box, where he pulled the ball across to Bennett whose shot was blocked.

With 10 minutes of the second-half played the visitors drew level, Jay Harris picked up the ball 25-yards from the goal and unleashed a stunning effort to equalise for the Silkmen.

Just one minute later Macclesfield turned the game on its head and took the lead, Joe Ironside getting the ball in the box, spinning. his man and slotting the ball home. 

As the game hit the hour mark the Vale made a quick response, Cristian Montano did amazingly, showing some outstanding footwork once again, weaving through the Macclesfield team before laying the ball to Worrall who pulled it back to Amoo.

The winger showed great footwork of his own before drilling the ball past Evans and bringing the game level.

The goal burst the Vale into life, with them searching hard for a goal to regain their lead, first Worrall powered forward and after his initial shot was blocked, set up Bennett whose thunderous low effort was deflected inches wide.

Seconds later Leon Legge nearly scored as his header from the resulting corner was headed off the line before the rebound was. just saved by a leaping Evans.

With 15 minutes to play Worrall delivered an asking ball to the far post where Tom Pope launched himself toward the ball, but was inches from making contact.

As the game entered its final 10 minutes Montano looped a cross to the back post where Pope cushioned the ball to the chest of Worrall with his head, before Worrall struck on the half-volley, forcing a strong save from Evans.

The Vale pressed for a winner as the game approached the final whistle, with Tom Pope coming inches from scoring on multiple occasions, before acting as the hero at the other end of the pitch, making a diving block on the line seconds from full-time.

Port Vale: Brown, Gibbons, Joyce, Legge, Worrall, Montano, Amoo (76’ Browne), Smith, Burgess, Taylor (68’ Atkinson), Bennett (72’ Pope).

Unused Subs:, Maddison, Brisley, Cullen.

Macclesfield Town: Evans, McCourt (75’ O’Keeffe), Kelleher, Gnahoua, Harris, Ironside (83’ Blyth), Welch-Hayes, Kirby, Horsfall, Osadebe, Fitzpatrick.

Unused Subs: Charles-Cook, Stephens, Cameron.