The Vale reserves began their Central League Cup campaign with a 5-1 defeat to Rotherham United.
The Millers made most of the early running but a good move between Ryan Burge, Dominic Thorley and Sam Morsy almost produced an opening for the Vale.
The home side took the lead in the 21st minute when a long punt upfield by Mark Bradley left Chris Holroyd in the clear and he advanced on Stuart Tomlinson before slipping the ball past him.
Five minutes later Vale were level. Sam Morsy hit a 30-yard shot that flew into the top corner of Andy Warrington's net as he staked his claim for a first team place on Saturday.
After the break Thorley send a long cross to Kingsley James only for Warrington to get there first, before the Millers killed the game with two goals in three minutes.
In the 55th minute a left wing cross by Luke Foster saw Holroyd score with a side footed shot that Tomlinson got a hand to but could not keep it out of the net.
Three minutes later a right wing cross from Liam Royles saw Holroyd complete his hat-trick with a firm header.
Ryan Burge hit a shot just over but then Rotherham scored twice more in two minutes.
Another Bradley cross produced a goalmouth scramble that saw Holroyd net his fourth of the game in the 76th minute and then Bradley himself hammered a 15 yard shot into the roof of the net to complete the scoring.
Vale: Tomlinson (GK), Plant, Roe, James, Raglan, Davis, Jeffries, Morsy, Burge, Lee (Russell 74), Thorley (Croft 81).
Subs not used: Hemmings, Lloyd
Rotherham United: Warrington (GK), Royles, Jordan, Brown, Mullins (McKay 68), Foster, Bradley, Taylor (Woods 80), Holroyd, Foltym-Brown, Pringle.
Subs not used: Hall, Beedham, Thompson
