A George Byers penalty was ruled out by a second-half Tom Ince goal as the Valiants were held by Tranmere in the first home league game of the season.
An even first quarter of an hour ended with Vale’s first serious chance of the contest as Lewis Montsma connected with a cross first time from the centre of the box, which was denied by Tranmere keeper Male, before an Onel Hernandez delivery reached Mo Faal’s head immediately after, his attempt just wide.
Momentum built for Vale from that chance, with Jordan Gabriel bounding down the left from a corner and nutmegging his man. The Vale right-back was tripped after releasing the ball, earning a penalty.
Captain George Byers tucked calmly into the bottom right corner, scoring Vale’s first goal of the season.
Oli Lynch was next to have a chance just inside the box three minutes later, his effort blocked well by Tranmere’s defence.
Byers was subbed off just short of the half-hour mark through injury, Rhys Walters taking his place as the visitors began pushing for an equaliser. No big chance came from either between then and half-time.
A bizarre beginning to the second interval saw Tranmere keeper Harrison Male go down off the ball, eventually leading to his substitution. As the visitors had no goalkeeper on the bench, defender Bobby Faulkner put on Male’s gloves for the remainder of the game.
Mo Faal had two golden chances in four minutes just after the hour mark, the first headed downwards and blocked well by Faulkner, the second skewed wide after failing to connect properly.
The visitors found an equaliser on the 72nd minute after a scrappy set of shots and blocks in the box fell to Tom Ince, who poked past Jackson Smith.
Vale pushed for an equaliser in the 14 added minutes, but a couple of Ben Waine chances failed to find a way through.
The Valiants host Crewe Alexandra at 12:30 next Saturday as the league campaign continues.
TEAM NEWS
Port Vale: Jackson Smith, Jordan Gabriel, George Byers © (Rhys Walters 27’), Mo Faal (Ben Garrity 84'), Kyle Dempsey, Onel Hernandez, Oli Lynch (Tyreece Simpson 75’), Liam Gordon, Lewis Montsma (Connor Hall 84'), Cam Humphreys, George Hall (Ben Waine 84').
Subs not used: Mason Terry, Jaheim Headley.
Tranmere Rovers: Harrison Male (Jordan Turnball 54’), Joel Senior, Nathan Smith, Will Vaulks ©, Joe Ironside, Tom Ince, Tom Conlon (Sam Finley 59’), Jordan Davies, Bobby Faulkner, Zane Okoro (Charlie Veevers 84'), Patrick Brough (Jacob Slater 59’).
Subs not used: Olly Scott, Lee O’Connor, Sam Mann.