Gary Ablett made six changes for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash against old adversaries, Port Vale.

Paul Gerrard, Paul Turnbull, Peter Thompson, Adam Griffin, Danny Pilkington and Gianluca Havern were all included in the starting line up after sitting out Saturday's defeat by Southend.

Paul Huntington missed the game through suspension whilst Nicholas Bignall was given a well-earned rest.

Port Vale hit County with three goals in the opening 13 minutes and, although Liam Bridcutt pulled one back, the Hatters still had a mountain to climb in the second half.

County had a let off inside two minutes when Louis Dodds shot just wide following some sloppy defending.

The warning, though, wasn't heeded and within a minute Vale were in front when Lewis Haldane beat Gerrard with a shot that flew in off the foot of the post.

And things got worse soon after when Marc Richards got to the bye-line down the Vale left and pulled the ball back to Dodds who side-footed past the exposed Gerrard.

County responded by winning a free kick in a central area. Michael Rose hit it well but Chris Martin in the home goal watched it all the way and made a good save.

Micky Adams side were soon back on the attack and Richards came close to making it 3-0 with a spectacular scissor kick at the far post.

Richards wasn't to be denied and, just two minutes later he did make it 3-0 following an accurate cross from the left by Kris Taylor.

County threatened on 18 minutes when Thompson chested Gerrard's clearance into the path of Pilkington who shot wide from the edge of the box.

Bridcutt then gave the Hatters hope when he beat Martin, with the aid of a slight deflection, from around 25 yards.

Griffin then wasted a decent opportunity when he shot over after being picked out by Johnny Mullins.

And Carl Baker showed his frustration when he jinked his way into the box and tried to beat an extra defender, even though he'd created a real shooting opportunity.

Five minutes before the break Baker did pull the trigger when he capitalised on a miscued header by former County skipper Gaz Owen; Martin made a fine save.

The Hatters kept pressing and Griffin had another chance again set up by Thompson. This time he hit his far post volley into the ground allowing Martin to save.

Baker forced Martin into a save two minutes after the break. Thompson and then Rose threatened as the Hatters forced the pace to get a crucial second goal.

Vale held firm, though, and began to change the tide. And twice in quick succession Gerrard came to County's rescue with flying saves to deny Dodds and the Haldane.

Fraser was unlucky with a mazy run that ended with a delicate chip that dropped just wide.

The game had really opened up and Martin matched Gerrard to keep out efforts from Thompson and Baker.

County kept pressing with Baker and Martin continuing their personal duel; the keeper continued to come out on top particularly in the 85^th minute when he dived to turn a curler around for a corner.

He then made a good save from David Poole, but was helpless when Poole's shot deflected to Thompson yards from the goal. The ball somehow seemed to cannon off the Irishman's knee and looped over the bar.