Stevenage were held to a 1-1 draw with a resolute Port Vale on Saturday at The Lamex.

Devante Rodney's first half opener for the Valiants was cancelled out by a Luke Norris drive from the edge of the box.

On reflection, a share of the spoils was a fair result after both sides just couldn't find that final ball or finish their chances.

Alex Revell made three forced changes from Tuesday nights 4-1 loss to Bradford, with Charlie Carter, Scott Cuthbert and Chris Lines making way for Elliot Osborne, Jamie Reid and Luke Prosser.

Vale also made three changes with James Wilson, Lewis Cass and former Boro defender Ryan Johnson coming into the starting 11.

The first action of the game came in the third minute. Vale goalkeeper Lucas Covolan was nearly the creator of his own downfall when his miskick fell to Jake Reeves, who weaved his way into the box before the keeper produced a brilliant reaction stop.

In the 19th minute the deadlock was broken. Poor defending from Boro allowed a ball to be fizzed across the box before Devante found the net.

Boro regrouped and looked for the instant reply when the impressive Elliot Osborne spun his man before firing straight at the keeper.

In the 32nd minute Stevenage broke the obdurate Vale defence.

A free kick on the edge of the box was laid off to Norris who blasted the ball through the wall and into the bottom corner. Just rewards after a dominant first half.

Just before half time Coker tried his luck from a free kick. His brilliant curling effort hitting the outside of the post and agonisingly wide.

Revell went into half time the happier of the two managers, but with plenty of work to finish the job in the second half.

The first half began wuth a flurry of Vale chances. The dangerous former Manchester United forward James Wilson had his flick saved at the near post by Anang, before a loose ball in the box caused pandemonium in the Boro box, which was then collected by the West Ham loanee.

In the 63rd minute, the ever-dangerous Ben Coker floated a ball to the backpost where Luke Prosser was lurking. His header was destined for the top corner before being cleared off the line. The rebound fell kindly to Jake Taylor who blasted high and wide.

The rest of the game seemed to fizzle out, both teams looked to attack with little reward.

Boss Alex Revell again rued missed chances but will surely settle for a point in a game that could've easily slipped away from them.

Boro return to the Lamex on Tuesday night in the League cup against Wycombe and will be hoping to reach round three. See Nub News for our comprehensive coverage.