The Hatters came from behind to rescue a point against Port Vale, with a second half Jack Jones strike sparing the home sides blushes.
A short corner neatly found the County wing-back in acres of space outside of the Port Vale box. He proceeded to curl the ball into the top left corner, getting his side back on level terms two minutes following the resumption.
The early stages at Carrington were dominated by County, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 5th minute. Striker Dallas Omoruyi brushed off the Port Vale centre-back with ease, but his low driven strike fizzed past the far post.
With a quarter of the match gone, Port Vale found themselves a goal to the good from the penalty spot against the run of play. County keeper, Harry Campbell, brought down the onrushing attacker and was helpless as the ball flew past him from the resulting spot kick.
County squandered a golden opportunity to equalise just before the interval. Midfielder, Bobby Bjork, drove down the right wing and squared the ball to Kylan Depiazza. His shot blazed over the bar from close range, giving the Valiants a slim lead going into the break.
HALF-TIME: County 0 – 1 Port Vale
Jones levelled the game shortly after the break and soon after, County had the chance to complete a second half comeback. Bjork broke through the Port Vale back line and rounded the keeper, but his strike was heroically cleared off the line by the retreating defender.
The Hatters continued to pile pressure on the away side, with big opportunities presenting themselves late on. A Kingston Fligg corner found the head of an unmarked Omoruyi, but his glancing header flew wide of the target, leaving little time for either side to find a winner.
A big chance to snatch all three points came just before added time. The ball fell to Trialist inside the area, who opted to shoot, much to the dismay of Omoruyi who was waiting to tap the ball home. The cutback never came and Trialist’s effort was easily saved by the Port Vale goalkeeper.
The game ended with honours even and despite having the majority of chances in the match, County were condemned to just one point.
FULL-TIME: County 1 (Jones, 47), Port Vale 1.
County Team (3-5-2): Campbell; Pemberton (Trialist, 71), Jones, Scruton (McMahon, 60); Bradbury-Allen, Hillary (Barry, 66), Atkinson (capt.), Fligg, Bjork; Omoruyi, Depiazza (Kibonda, 83).
Reporter: Elliot Richardson
