PORT VALE: Sam Johnson, Rob Taylor, Gareth Owen, Adam Yates, Ben Williamson, Ryan Burge, Ryan LloydSUBS: Chris Neal, John McCombe, Doug Loft, Louis Dodds, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Tom pope, Clayton McDonald, Chris Shuker, Sam Morsy, Ashley Vincent, Richard Duffy.
TORQUAY UNITED: Martin Rice, Ryan Jarvis, Daniel Leadbitter, Tom Cruise, Ashley Yeoman, Daniel Sullivan, Jake Hutchings.SUBS:Michael Poke, Joe Oastler, Kevin Nicholson, Brian Saah, Lee Mansell, Rene Howe, Ian Morris, Billy Bodin, Nathan Craig, Niall Thompson, Kyrtis MacKenzie.
Attendance 4,721 including 139 visiting supporters
Vale were unchanged for the fourth successive game as they looked to see off Torquay United and continue their solid start to the new season.
Vale took a few minutes to settle, but once they did they began to cause a few problems for the visitors, with Sam Morsy looking lively in the Vale midfield.
Tom Pope turned sharply to shake off his marker and try a first time shot with his left foot from the edge of the box but goalkeeper Michael Poke collected comfortably.
The visitors began o enjoy a spell on top, but although Vale were on the back foot, Chris Neal’s goal was never seriously threatened.
Vale had John McCombe to thank when the defender cut out a cross from the right intended for the big striker, who was standing in space towards the back post.
The Valiants then went straight up the other end and almost sncthed the lead when a stinging drive from Jennison Myrie-Williams was turned around the post by Poke.
Chris Neal was on his toes to pluck a flicked header from Rene Howe out of the air as the visitors threatened again.
stroked the ball home from close range.IAN MORRISVale almost had the ball in the net when Poke spilled a cross, with Vincent in attendance but the visitors broke and within seconds took the lead when
Clayton McDonald suffered an injury early on in the second half but after treatment the defender was able to continue.
Tom Pope went close when he mat a Chris Shuker corner kick with a firm header and saw the ball fly a couple of feet over the bar.
Then Ashley Vincent twisted his way into the box and looked to have scored, but Poke did well to get a hand to it and push his shot around the post.
Vale were having most of the possession and an equaliser was looking on the cads with Torquay pinned inside their own half.
headed the ball into his own net to make the game all-square.BRIAN SAAH minute Vale finally drew level. A free kick from the left taken by Doug Loft looked harmless enough with no Vale players near the ball, but Torquay centre half thIn the 69
The unfortunate Saah almost gifted Vale a second goal four minutes later when he sliced a cross from Richard Duffy against the upright, with his ‘keeper nowhere near it.
minute when Rob Taylor replaced Ashley Vincent on the left flank.ndVale threw on fresh legs in the 82
minute Vale made a double substitution. On came Ryan Burge and Ben Williamson to replace Chris Shuker and Louis Dodds.thIn the 88
Vale went all out for a winning goal and almost got it had a Torquay defender not headed off the line in stoppage time.