It wasn't the most entertaining of fixtures the last time these two teams met on a cold Tuesday night all the way back in October, but the Valiants picked up a valuable point at Stevenage nonetheless.

Vale arrived at Stevenage in search of their second away league win on the bounce, after picking up an impressive 1-0 win away to Oldham thanks to a Tom Pope penalty.

Neil Aspin named an unchanged side with Ricky Miller returning to the bench at the expense of David Worrall, after serving a one match suspension. 

Stevenage started the game the better out of the two sides and had the best chance from the opening period. James Wildin was found in acres of space over on his right hand side in the Vale box, enabling him to cut inside onto his left but his finessed effort floated well wide. 

After a nervous start, Vale began to find their composure, and were convinced they should’ve had a penalty. Connell Rawlinson met Whitfield’s scooped ball into the box and collided with the Stevenage defender. Despite the pleas from Neil Aspin, the referee waved play on.

Stevenage had the best chance of the game after a poor back pass from Rawlinson allowed Revell to take the loose ball around Brown. Appearing as though it was destined for the back of the net, the angle became too tight and the striker could only find the post. 

Ricky Miller was introduced at the half and the little man proved pivotal in creating Vale’s first and best chance of the second half. Hannant’s in-swinging corner was fumbled by the keeper, and it was Popey’s effort that was denied moments later. Miller picked up the loose ball from the corner and drove the ball back across goal to Pope, but the keeper got down well to save the strikers snap shot. 

Previous starting XI: Brown, Legge, Smith, Rawlinson, Clark, Vassell, Joyce, Conlon,  Whitfield, Pope, Hannant