Fleetwood Town lose out to Port Vale in third pre-season friendly

A goal from Harvey Saunders was not enough for the Cod Army as the Valiants scored through Tom Conlon and Rhys Brown to earn them their win.

Town had the first chance of the game, Saunders beating the visiting defence before finding Paddy Madden who couldn't find the target.

The Vale opened the scoring, Conlon striking across the face of goal into the far top corner, from the right side of the area.

Fleetwood attempted to strike back, Josh Morris finding Madden whose shot was blocked by a defender.

The home side levelled the contest after 35 minutes, Wes Burns' low cross being met by Saunders who found the back of the net.

The parity would not last, Port Vale immediately retaking the lead.

Brown was felled inside the Town area presenting him the opportunity to convert from 12 yards out, which he duly did.

Chances for Burns and Madden went begging as the hosts once again searched for an equaliser.

Callum Camps also had an opportunity to get Fleetwood back in the game just before half time but he steered his effort just past the post from outside the area.

Chances were hard to come by in the opening exchanges of the second 45, Tom Pope having the first decent chance, finding the side netting from six yards out.

Harrison Biggins tried his luck from range but his shot was saved.

Pope had another chance to extend Vale's lead, getting in behind from a long ball but Alex Carins did well to stay big and keep him out.

Fleetwood XI: Trialist (GK), Trialist, Andrew, Boyes, Holgate, Burns, Camps, Morris, Coutts, Madden, Saunders

Fleetwood bench: Cairns (GK), Sowerby, Biggins, Trialist, Hill, Morris, Rydel, Matete, Trialist

Port Vale XI: Brown (GK), Legge, Smith, Conlon, Montano, Cullen, Mills, Brown, Whitehead, Rodney, Tricket-Smith

Port Vale bench: Trialist (GK), Gibbons, Crooks, Joyce, Worrall, Pope, Brisley, Amoo, Burgess, Hurst, Trialist, Trialist