Two goals in the final two minutes for Vale secured the Valiants a 2-1opening day win away to Morcambe this afternoon in The Central League.
Goals from Jack Wakefield and Blackpool loanee Scott Quigley in the dying minutes, saw Mick Ede's side take all three points after an entertaining afternoon of football at the Globe Arena.
There were a few familiar first team faces in the starting line up this afternoon at the Globe Arena. James Gibbons lead the Vale as captain, whilst Idris Kanu, Brendon Daniels and Theo Vassell all featured.
The Valiants would've been disappointed with the start they made after falling behind after just seven minutes. Veteran forward, Kevin Ellison, made a surging run forward with the ball before cutting inside on his right foot and unleashed a thunderous shot that hit the bar on it's way into the back of the net.
As manager Mick Ede and Vale midfielder Danny Pugh watched on from the sidelines, Morecambe were unlucky not to have doubled their lead. Ellison yet again had the ball in the back of the net, but was judged harshly to have pulled back defender Theo Vassell by the linesman and the goal was ruled out.
Going forward for Vale, it was Idris Kanu who was causing the most amount of problems for the Morecambe defence. The young winger will have had a point to prove to the on looking First Team Coach Gary Brabin this afternoon after being left out of the first team in recent weeks, and he was certainly showing what he had to offer.
Kanu used his pace and strength on many occasions to glide past the Morecambe full back Jordan Cranston, and was putting some dangerous balls into the box. However, the Valiants were failing to take advantage of the chances Idris was creating.
Sam Hornby will have also been one wanting to prove a point this afternoon to challenge Scott Brown for a start in the first team. The goalkeeper pulled off a terrific save midway through the half, after Ben Hadley's strike as a result of a counter attack, looked destined for the top corner had it not been for the finger tips of Hornby.
Heading into the second half Vale looked a lot more solid at the back with the commanding James Gibbons, as the Valiants looked to pile the pressure on Morecambe.
Chances fell to Vale but they couldn't find that killer finish to draw things level. Joe Berks and Lucas Green-Birch had their opportunities as Mick Ede's side searced for an equaliser, but the Morecambe defence soaked up the pressure and cleared their lines.
It was the final two minutes however that proved to be the game changer for the Vale. In the 87th minute it was substitute Jake Wakefield who finally found the equaliser. Idris Kanu's ball into the box caused a panic as Morecambe attempted to clear the ball but it fell to Wakefield, who's shot from the edge of the box took a big deflection of Cranston leaving the keeper wrong footed as the ball hit the back of the net.
Vale didn't stop there and amazingly took the lead just a minute later through Scott Quigley. Kanu found Campbell-Gordon as he made an surging over-lapping run, and his chipped ball into the box found Quigley who buried it into the bottom corner.
Mick Ede will have been delighted with the start his Resevers have made in the league as they now set their focus to Notts County at home next week.
MFC Reserves XI: Dawid Szczepaniak, James Sinclair, Jordan Cranston, Sam Lavelle, Ellis Jones, Lamin Jagne, Olly Crankshaw, Ben Hedley, Jason Oswell, Carlos Mendes-Gomes, Kevin Ellison
SUBS: Kaleb Young, Ibrahim Bakare, Freddie Price, Toby Twiname, Kai Herbet.
PVFC Reserves XI: Sam Hornby, James Gibbons, Ryan Campbell-Gordon, Hayden Campbell, Theo Vassell, Joe Davis, Idris Kanu, Joe Berks, Scott Quigley, Lucas Green-Birch, Brendon Daniels
SUBS: Maxwell Chimnes, Finley Jackson, Joshua Ede, Jack Wakefield