Match report: Newport County 1-1 Port Vale
Fit again forward Anton Forrester scored his second goal in a week as Vale came from behind to draw at Newport.
Neil Aspin named the same starting eleven that defeated Oxford United in the FA Cup with Chris Regis and Forrester both named on the bench. Aspin also kept faith in keeper Ryan Boot who made it a trio of locally born youth team graduates in the starting XI alongside Smith and Gibbons.
It was a scrappy first-half with Vale grateful for some resilient defending from loanee Tom Anderson as the home side pressed. Nevertheless chances for both sides were few and far between as it stayed goalless at the break.
Aspin took action at the break bringing on Forrester for Tyler Denton. However, it was the home side who took the lead as Nolan took advantage of a rare opportunity to open the scoring.
Vale were looking toothless so the Vale boss brought on Montano and Regis – with Montano presented with a chance almost immediately. However, it was Forrester who was to prove to be the Vale hero as he finished well after good approach play from Pope.
It was a goal against the run of play but enough to earn Vale a valuable away point. It could also mark a turning point for Anton Forrester who until this week had seemingly been a luckless figure and fixture in the fitness room. However, the young striker has proved that when match fit he can be a real threat at this level. Let’s hope his form and fitness continue.
Vale: Boot, Gibbons, Smith, Anderson, Gunning, Worrall (Regis), Pugh (Montano), Kay, Denton (Forrester), Harness, Pope
Subs: Hornby, Yates, Tonge, Turner
Attendance: 2,876 (271 away)