An equaliser late in the second-half from Port Vale secured a point for the visitors against FGR in Sky Bet League Two.

Head Coach Mark Cooper handed new signing Baily Cargill his first start after his move from MK Dons, while Isaac Hutchinson started from the substitutes bench following his arrival from Derby County.

A rather cagey start at the innocent New Lawn, the home side managed to take the lead within the opening twenty minutes. A rash challenge on Udoka Godwin-Malife won a free-kick on the edge of the box, and in a prime position for a cross into the area. Scotsman Nicky Cadden curled the ball into the penalty area – and it looked to have evaded everyone to break the deadlock.

Danny Pugh’s side tried to apply the pressure as the first half drew to its conclusion but couldn’t manage to find the back of the net. Fresh from heading to Vale Park permanently, Jake Taylor managed to win two successive corners for the visitors, however, it didn’t prove enough in the opening forty-five minutes.

Neither side managed to stamp their authority in the second half – but Rovers had the majority of the chances. Destined to reach an FGR player in the box, Aaron Collins lofted a free kick from a tight angle into the area. The Welshman managed to find the target, however, and Vale stopper Scott Brown was forced into a scrambling stop.

Mark Cooper made a few changes midway through the second forty-five and substitute Jayden Richardson nearly doubled the home side’s advantage. Collins switched the play to the right-flank for the Nottingham Forest loanee – who weaved into the area and saw his close-range strike saved by Brown.

The Valiants were keen to find a leveller – and were duly rewarded for their efforts. Defender Zak Mills started the attacking move, before finding Devante Rodney on the edge of the area – who fired beyond McGee from the edge of the penalty area.

Forest Green XI: McGee, Sweeney (Young 85), Stokes, Cargill, Adams, Collins, Matt, Moore-Taylor (Richardson 68), Wagstaff (Bailey 68), Godwin-Malife.

Unused subs: Thomas, Bernard, Hutchinson, Whitehouse.

Port Vale XI: Brown, Joyce, Smith, Conlon, Mills, Brisley, Taylor (Burgess), Amoo, Rodney, Fitzpatrick, Hurst (Guthrie).

Unused subs: Visser, Crookes, Cullen, Campbell, Bailey.

Referee: Kevin Johnson