Vale claim late share of spoils

Saturday 5 October 2013 18:56, UK

Port Vale substitute Lee Hughes took advantage of a last-minute present to earn his side a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City.

The visitors looked set to register their first league win of the season until a poor back pass by Aden Flint put Hughes in the clear. And the veteran striker made no mistake as he side-stepped visiting goalkeeper Elliott Parish to roll the ball into an empty net. A busy but largely even and uneventful first half burst into life in the 38th minute when Robins striker Sam Baldock cracked a shot against a post. Vale striker Tom Pope then headed clear to prevent a certain goal for Joe Bryan before home 'keeper Chris Neal made a terrific save to deny Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. And the visitors repelled Vale's efforts at the start of the second period before taking a deserved lead in the 55th minute. Emmanuel-Thomas picked out the run of Scott Wagstaff and, with Neal expecting a cross, the winger smashed a 15-yard shot high inside the 'keeper's left-hand post. Baldock then fired another excellent chance wide for the visitors as Vale looked woefully short of ideas until Flint's late gaffe.