League One: Port Vale 2-2 Stevenage. Match report from Vale Park by Sam Cretton

Stevenage's second trip to Vale Park this season ended in late frustration, as a late Funso Ojo penalty meant Steve Evans' side dropped two points in their quest for a League One play-off place. 

Boro needed to put last week's disappointing 1-0 home defeat against Reading last week behind them, but had the worst possible start in the Potteries, with Terrance Vancooten's own goal putting the home side 1-0 ahead after only five minutes.

Undeterred, the away side grew into the game after a change of shape with Nathan Thompson slotting into midfield after the shock of conceding the opening goal, and nearly found a way back into the game when a Nick Freeman cross narrowly flew past the head of Vadaine Oliver. 

Stevenage boss Evans made a triple change at the break with Dan Butler, Louis Thompson and Kane Hemmings coming on in place for Nathan Thompson, Jake Forster-Caskey and Oliver.

Evans bold move made all the difference, with Stevenage looking the better of the two sides in the opening stages of the second half. 

In the 52nd minute, Stevenage carved Port Vale open, after a dangerous Freeman cross found the head of Carl Piergianni, with his header crashing against the post. Fortunately the ball fell to Stevenage's top goal scorer Jamie Reid, who made no mistake in poking home from close range to make it 1-1, not to mention 17 league goals this season.

Having achieved parity, Stevenage took total control of the game. Six minutes later another dangerous ball into the box from Freeman found the right foot of Terence Vancooten who scored his first league goal for Stevenage since joining the club in 2017 to put Boro 2-1 ahead.

In the 77th minute the away side had a chance to kill the game off when Reid found his way through on goal, but couldn't quite keep his shot down under pressure from the Valiants defence. 

Finley Burns had an even better chance eight minutes later, after brilliant play down the left from Butler, Roberts and Reid found Burns alone in the box. Unfortunately the Manchester City loanee lifted his shot over the bar from 10 yards out. 

The fourth official then signalled six minutes of injury time, as Stevenage appeared set for a vital away win. 

However, late drama ensured with 95 minutes on the clock, as a ball from the right by Tom Sang and was adjudged to have hit the hand of Stevenage's left back Butler - as the linesman's flag waved for a penalty to the home side, leaving Ojo to step up and earn a late point for his side.  

Boro now turn their focus onto the visit of Bristol Rovers at the Lamex on Tuesday evening. with Boro aiming to secure an important three points.

 By Sam Cretton at Port Vale.

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