The Vale got off to a flying start and took an early lead after just four minutes when David McNaught latched on to an Alan Brown free kick and beat Port Glasgow keeper Bryan Tucker with a low drive.

The Vale pushed for a second goal and after 20 minutes they were rewarded when defender Lee McGeachy strode into the box before firing the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

The Vale were dominating, however, their second goal seemed to bring Port Glasgow to life and they turned the game round with three goals in nine minutes to take the lead.

The visitor’s first goal came when Craig McCormick crossed from the left wing for Graham Black to head beyond Smith, into the net.

Things got worse for Hugh Hamill’s men just five minutes later when the referee awarded a harsh penalty against Kenny Wilson. The decision shocked both teams but Black made no mistake from the spot to bring the scores level at 2-2. Vale’s collapse was completed in the 29th minute as an in-swinging McCormick corner was met by the head of Black to complete a nine minute hat-trick and put Port Glasgow 3-2 ahead.

After the half time break, McGeachy went close for the Vale but saw his effort rebound off the bar, however, Vale kept pushing and did net the equaliser shortly after.

McNaught sent an effort goalwards which Port keeper, Tucker, should have dealt with, however, he fumbled the ball and was unable to stop it crossing the line to draw the scores level at 3-3.

Vale were in the ascendency and when Port Glasgow’s McCormick was sent off for his second yellow card, after 64 minutes.

Vale spent the remaining 25 minutes pushing for a winner and went closest when Mark Pawsey saw his netbound shot deflected narrowly wide as they were forced to settle for one point rather than three.

Vale: Smith, Monaghan, Lacy (Martin), Wilson, McGeachy, Cowan (McInnes), Brown, Pawsey, Stillwell (Willis), Arthur, McNaught