The Valiants suffer defeat for the first time in six games after a 2-0 loss against York City at the LNER Community Stadium.
Two second-half goals in the space of seven minutes from Zak Johnson and Alex Hunt were enough to help the hosts to all three points as they made it 25 home league games without defeat.
The hosts started the better of the two sides in wet and windy conditions in Yorkshire. Frankie Maguire linked up well with Arthur Read, who was able to strike an effort towards goal, but Jordan Gabriel got across quickly and made an excellent block.
In the 18th minute, Vale broke from a corner as Kyle Dempsey raced the length of the pitch with the ball, before sending in a low cross towards Keyrol Figueroa, who took a touch away from his man before shooting towards goal, but Alfie McNally made a good save at his near post.
McNally was forced into another excellent save in the 25th minute. Kyle Dempsey controlled the ball nicely on the edge of the area before finding Oli Lynch, who curled an effort towards goal and it took a wicked deflection off the toe of Zak Johnson, causing McNally to readjust quickly and make an excellent reflex save.
On the half-hour mark, York won the ball back on halfway, which allowed Arthur Read time to bring it forward and strike a low effort from the edge of the area, but his effort was tipped around the post by Marko Marosi, who was called into action for the first time.
After the break, Vale came close to an opener as Cam Humphreys picked up the ball thirty yards out and arrowed a strike towards the top corner, but it just whistled past the post.
The hosts took the lead in the 53rd minute when Arthur Read’s inswinging free-kick was turned home at the back post by an unmarked Zak Johnson, who powered an effort past Marosi from close range.
Vale looked to reply within five minutes as Kyle Demosey curled an effort from the edge of the area towards the far corner, but it was well saved by McNally, who palmed it to safety.
The hosts doubled their lead when a deep cross from the left was headed down into the path of Alex Hunt who rifled home from close range.
The hosts came close to a third when Ollie Pearce won the ball back in the Vale half and all of a sudden Vale were outnumbered. Pearce spotted the run of Joe Felix, who fired an effort straight at Marosi from the right side of the area; the rebound fell to Ollie Banks, who struck an effort into the side netting
In the 73rd minute, Harry Boyes was allowed time to drive forward before taking aim from the edge of the area, but his low effort went wide of the upright.
Ten minutes from time, Vale had a golden chance to get back into the game as Onel Hernandez won a flick on and played in Max Watters, who cut inside and was one-on-one with the keeper; the Vale forward couldn't beat McNally, who made another excellent save.
Another chance went begging in the 86th minute when Jasper Moon’s header looked destined for the top corner, but once again McNally made a full-stretch save to keep his clean sheet intact.
TEAM NEWS:
York City: Alfie McNally, Ryan Fallowfield ©, Mark Kitching, Zak Johnson, Alex Hunt (Hiram Boateng 70’), Ollie Pearce, Frankie Maguire (Alex Newby 62’), Harry Boyes, Arthur Read, Ollie Banks (Josh Stones 80’), Jack Hunt (Joe Felix 62’).
Subs not used: George Sykes-Kenworthy, Jeff King, Morgan Williams.
Port Vale: Marko Marosi, Kyle John, Jaheim Headley, Jasper Moon, Jordan Gabriel (Max Watters 66’) , George Byers ©, Kyle Dempsey, Oli Lynch (Onel Hernandez 66’), Keyrol Figueroa (Maleace Asamoah 67’), Cameron Humphreys, Rhys Walters (George Hall 66’)
Subs not used: Jackson Smith, Aaron McGowan, Lewis Monstma.