The Valiants earn a point on the road after a battling performance against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Darren Moore named an unchanged team following last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup Second Round victory over Bristol Rovers. This included a second league start for Ben Amos, who was rewarded after back-to-back clean sheets in the cup competitions.
The hosts had the first shot of the game in the 10th minute when a well worked corner from the right was sent in by George Saville towards the edge of the box for Gideon Kodua, but his first-time volley went well over the crossbar.
The hosts came forward again eight minutes later when Liam Walsh’s through-ball found Jacob Brown down the right side, he cut inside onto his left foot and took aim, but Jaheim Headley got back just in the nick of time to deflect the effort wide.
The Valiants had their effort on goal in 20th minute. Ben Waine’s cross from the right side was cleared as far as George Byers who took a touch before whistling an effort wide from just outside the area.
The opening goal of the game came in the 25th minute. After a soft foul was given against Ruari Paton on the edge of the box, Cohen Bramhall stepped up and struck a dipping free kick over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Ben Amos with no chance.
After taking the lead, the hosts looked to take control of the game and came close to doubling their lead seven minutes before the break. George Saville’s delivery from the left was met by an unmarked Kai Naismith, who headed straight at Ben Amos in the Vale goal.
Vale didn’t really deserve to be a goal behind and were good value for their leveller three minutes before the break. Ruari Paton’s free kick from the left was met by Ben Waine, who powered a header into the back of the net to grab his third goal in as many games for the Valiants since returning to the side.
In the second half, Vale shot out of the traps and looked to carry their momentum from the end of the first half into the second. Darren Moore’s side enjoyed much of the ball in the opening exchanges before deservedly taking the lead ten minutes into the second half. Ruari Paton took aim from the left side of the box, but his effort was palmed away by Josh Keeley into the path of Devante Cole who couldn’t miss from a yard out and slammed home to spark scenes of bedlam in the away end.
Five minutes later, Vale came inches away from doubling the lead. Jaheim Headley burst down the left side before sending in a low ball across the face of goal, which was put over the crossbar by Ruari Paton from a tight angle at the back post.
Vale were made to rue this missed opportunity as the hosts levelled twenty minutes from time. Liam Walsh’s corner from the right was headed home by Mads Andersen, who muscled his way to the ball before turning the ball home from close range.
It was now anyone’s game and Vale were dealt a blow two minutes from time when George Byers was forced off with an injury. The Valiants had used all their stoppages and were down to ten men with just Rhys Walters left as a recognised midfielder.
The hosts were throwing everything at the Vale to try and claim all three points from the game. However, the Valiants stood firm and were able to clear any danger that came their way to grind out a deserved point on the road after a battling performance.
TEAM NEWS
Luton Town: Josh Keeley, Kai Naismith ©, Mars Andersen, Milenic Alli, Liam Walsh (Lasse Nordas 85’), Teden Mengi, Nigel Lonwijk (Lamine Fanne 71’), Jacob Brown (Nahki Wells 61’), George Saville (Jordan Clark 61’), Gideon Kodua, Cohen Bramhall
Subs not used: James Shea, Shayden Morris, Christ Makasso
Port Vale: Ben Amos, Jaheim Headley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, George Byers ©, Funso Ojo (Rhys Walters 30’), Ruari Paton (Dajaune Brown 75’), Ben Waine (Jayden Stockley 84’), Kyle John (Jesse Debrah 85’), George Hall (Mo Faal 75’), Devante Cole
Subs not used: Joe Gauci, Ryan Croasdale.
