Vale were held with Northern Premier League side Buxton at the Silverlake Stadium, as Rekeil Pyke’s second-half strike secured the draw in the third game of pre-season.

It was a good start for The Valiants as skipper for the afternoon, Anthony de Freitas, saw an effort go just wide, after a darting run towards the 18-yard area.

Lawrie Wilson, who was making his debut, could have got his Port Vale career off to a good start after Cristian Montano fizzed in a low-cross, but the 29-year old shot just over the bar 12 minutes in.

The hosts almost took the lead in bizarre fashion as Andy McWilliams forced Rob Lainton into a great save from a corner with just 24 minutes on the clock.

Antony Kay could have had his first goal for the club on 26 minutes, his bullet header travelled just wide, following some clever work from Montano.

Liam Hardy went close for the The Bucks on 32 minutes with a dipping effort from the edge of the area, but the ball flew over Lainton’s bar.

Kay had another chance just one minute later. An in-swinging cross met the head of Tom Pope and was headed back in for Kay who almost converted the chance.

Finally, the deadlock was broken as the hosts took the lead as the ball fell to Alastair Taylor down the left-hand side and his cross found the boot of Liam Hardy and the striker slotted home.

Billy Whitehouse came on as a substitute for Vale at half-time as Michael Brown’s first change of the match.

After a frustrating opening 45 minutes, Vale had finally got their goal following an excellent counter attack. Montano found de Freitas down the right-hand side on 54 minutes. His cross found Rekeil Pyke who blasted home for his fifth goal of pre-season.

Nathan Smith could have then bagged himself a goal but his header fell into the arms of Jan Budtz from Montano’s free-kick.

The game went quiet for a while as chances from Charlie Walford and Billy Whitehouse came close for Vale with just minutes to play.

It was Port Vale’s first draw of pre-season following two victories over Kidsgrove and Newcastle Town. But another good run-out for the lads as the team now await Derby County on Tuesday night.

Port Vale Team: Lainton (Boot 57), Eardley (Davis 62), Kay (Walford 62), De Freitas © (Kelly 62), Gunning (Gibbons 62, Dennis 67), Wilson, (Whitehouse 45), Smith, Pugh (Calveley 62), Pope (Reeves 62), Pyke (Tonge 62), Montano (Yates 62).

Buxton Team: Budtz, Meane, McWilliams, Hinsley, Maguire, Young ©, Taylor, Abbott, Wilson, Hardy, Williams.

SUBS: Stevens, Smith, Jameson, Ravenhill, Patterson, Doran, Williams.

Attendance: 514.