A stoppage time penalty from Funso Ojo earns the Valiants a point
The Valiants started the game strongly, with Ethan Chislett breaking through the Stevenage defense after only two minutes, before his cross was caught by Craig MacGillivray.
It was only minutes later however that Vale put themselves ahead as James Wilson laid off a pass to Gavin Massey who then had his cross turned into the net by Stevenage defender Terence Vancooten.
The rest of the first half was pretty much all Vale. In the 12th minute Massey’s excellent control of the ball led to a Wilson shot that was only just dragged wide from the edge of the box.
In the 21st minute Wilson was involved again, dropping deep to spread the ball out to Conor Grant whose cross was put over the bar by Chislett.
In the 34th minute Funso Ojo had an effort from the edge of the box that went high over the bar and minutes later Jesse Debrah popped up to aim a rare long range effort towards goal. MacGillivray held the shot firmly however.
Early in the second half Stevenage forward Jamie Reid managed to capitalise on an effort that struck the crossbar and bounced back out, turning in the rebound to level the scores.
And only minutes later Vancouten exercised his first half demons to put Stevenage 2-1 up, expunging his first half misgivings.
The Boro continued to improve and in the 68th minute Valiants keeper Conor Ripley was forced to react quickly, making a good save from close range.
Vale tried to fight back, and in the 75th minute Grant attempted an effort from range. It missed the target and went over the bar.
A huge chance went begging for the Vale towards the end of the match in added time as Jason Lowe’s effort was from a few yards out was stopped by MacGillivray.
That was not all she wrote however as Ojo slotted home a last minute penalty to equalise and rescue a point for the Valiants.
Port Vale | Connor Ripley, Kacper Lopata (Dan Jones 65’), Nathan Smith ©, Ethan Chislett (Alex Mighten 58’), Funso Ojo, Conor Grant, Jason Lowe, Gavin Massey, Jensen Weir, Jesse Debrah (Tom Sang 83'), James Wilson (Baylee Dipepa 83')
Unused Subs: Jayson Leutwiler, Jack Shorrock, Rhys Walters
Stevenage | Craig MacGillivray, Luther James-Wildin, Nathan Thompson (Louis Thompson 46’), Carl Piergianni, Jake Forster-Caskey (Kane Hemmings 46’), Nick Freeman, Terence Vancooten, Finley Burns (Alex MacDonald 88'), Jamie Reid, Nesta Guiness-Walker (Jordan Roberts 75'), Vadaine Oliver (Kane Hemmings 46')
Unused Subs: Taye Ashby-Hammond, Ben Thompson