A youthful Vale side were beaten on the training ground at Vale Park on Tuesday afternoon, with a PFA XI running out 3-0 winners.
Vale had the better of a goalless first half, going close through Miracle Orisakwe and Ben Waine, but the visitors scored three times after the break.
Captain Ben Garrity was among those chosen to start the game, alongside four Academy graduates in Oli Fraser, Joe Williams, Charlie Bussell and Orisakwe, while further Academy players were introduced throughout the second half.
Having taken an early lead at Derby County last week, Vale threatened inside the first minute again as Onel Hernandez found half a yard on the right and fizzed in a dangerous low cross which was eventually dealt with by the visitors.
The PFA had their first real sight at goal on nine minutes, with a low drive from the edge of the area going narrowly wide, after an even start to the contest.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Vale went within inches of taking the lead as Orisakwe let fly from the edge of the box, and his swerving effort went just wide of the post.
As the game approached the half-hour mark, Hernandez again found space on the right, cutting inside and teeing up a shot for Ryan Croasdale, but the midfielder’s effort flew over. Moments later, Garrity saw a header comfortably saved.
The visitors’ best chance of the half came on 33 minutes, as Daniel Johnson beat the offside trap to round Mason Terry, but his cut-back was fired well over the bar. At the other end, Bussell played in Waine, who saw his effort rebound back off the post.
Five minutes before the break, Hernandez cut inside and forced a low save from the keeper, and his resulting corner was headed over by Connor Hall, leaving things level at half-time.
Vale made a number of changes at the break, with Garrity having completed a productive 45 minutes, and Academy products Karl Agnero and Ollie Cook among those stepping off the bench.
The visitors took the lead shortly after the restart, with a powerful effort from inside the area leaving Terry with little chance. Vale threatened to respond at the other end as Waine was played through on goal, only for the offside flag to go up.
But the PFA doubled their lead on 57 minutes, converting into the corner following a cross from the right-hand side.
Chances were few and far between thereafter, with Bussell playing Waine through on 70 minutes, but his deflected effort looped up and was caught by the keeper. Vale youngsters Tomasi Wara and Eddie Lake then came on for the closing stages.
The PFA scored a third with 15 minutes to go, converting from close range, but Vale continued to press towards the end.
The result marks our first defeat of a seven-game pre-season, with our league campaign beginning this weekend away to Oldham, in front of a sold-out away end.
Vale starting XI: Terry; Fraser, Williams, C.Hall, McGowan; Hernandez, Garrity, Croasdale, Bussell; Orisakwe, Waine.
