The Valiants finish second in Group B despite a penalty shootout win over Wrexham AFC.
The visitors had the first chance of the game when Luke Bolton’s corner from the right was met by Mo Faal, but his header was comfortable for Ben Amos in the Vale goal.
Vale’s first chance of the game came in the 18th minute when Ruari Paton chased a loose ball down the left side before cutting inside and curling an effort just wide of the far post.
Wrexham came close again two minutes later as Jon Dadi Bodvarsson received the ball with his back to goal, before turning sharply and shooting. Thankfully for Vale, Amos was alert and got down quickly to save to his right.
In the 25th minute, Antwoine Hackford was fouled in a dangerous area. Ruari Paton stepped up and whipped a free-kick over the wall but into the hands of Callum Burton who saved at the second attempt.
The majority of Vale’s attacking threat was coming through Paton. He came close again in the 40th minute when he fired a low shot wide of the post after the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box
Just before the break, Wrexham had another opportunity when Faal met a deep cross with a header, but it was wide of the goal.
Five minutes into the second half, the visitors took the lead when a corner from the right was flicked on at the front post before being turned home by Max Cleworth from close range.
Vale came close to replaying instantly as Paton drove into the box before seeing his shot blocked by a sliding Wrexham defender. The loose ball fell to Benicio who cut inside from the left and curled a shot towards the far post, but it was palmed away by Mark Howard.
Moments later, Jesse Debrah met a corner from the right with a powerful header that was straight at Howard in the Wrexham goal.
Paton cut inside from the left and spotted the run of Hackford, the Vale forward beat the keeper to the ball but could only fire straight at Mark Howard who covered his angles quickly.
Half time substitute Mark Howard was certainly the busier of the two keepers in the second half. He was called into action again in the 70th minute when he saved Lorent Tolaj’s shot at his near post.
Eight minutes from time Vale deservedly levelled the scores when a loose ball fell to Rico Richards who turned well in the box before shooting low, past Mark Howard who had no chance.
After the ninety minutes ended in a draw, the game eventually went to penalties. Ben Amos was the hero for the Vale has he saved three penalties to earn his side a 3-1 victory in the shootout. Lorent Tolaj, Jason Lowe & Conor Grant all scored their spot kicks to earn Vale an extra point. However, it makes no change to the group as Vale finish second on goal difference.
TEAM NEWS
Port Vale: Ben Amos. Nathan Smith, Jason Lowe (C), Ruari Paton (Diamond Edwards), Lorent Tolaj, Jesse Debrah, Jack Shorrock, Antwoine Hackford (Rico Richards), Benicio (Conor Grant), Sam Hart (Ben Heneghan), Rekeem Harper (Ethan Chislett)
Subs not used: Connor Ripley, Ronan Curtis.
Wrexham AFC: Callum Burton (Mark Howard 45’), Lewis Brunt, Max Cleworth (C), Anthony Forde, Luke Bolton (Sev Revan 11’), Jacob Mendy, Mo Faal (Harry Ashfield), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Paul Mullin) Josh Adams (Ollie Rathbone), Aaron James, Matty James.
Subs not used: Callum Edwards,
