Port Vale 0 Fleetwood 0

The midfielder's shot rebounded off the line in a second half rally - the highlight of a bruising display.

Fleetwood held their own for much of the first half - creating little but looking solid in spite of a makeshift defensive line.

Shola Ameobi, while handed little in terms of clear chances, looked to add value, holding the ball up and spraying the ball to the flanks with vision and confidence.

Bobby Grant's continued poor decision making around the box continued to frustrate but at least Fleetwood had the battle of Eggert Jonsson and the drive of Antoni Sarcevic back in midfield - ticking if not necessarily keeping time.

Even so, the Vailants probably should have been ahead by the break - two clear cut opportunities showing the continued value to the club of star stopped Chris Maxwell.

The Welshman was brave, lauching himself at the feet of Sam Foley to prevent an embarassing breakaway goal - Town have twice smashed into the Vale wall moments before.

Marcus Nilsson will have been thanfully for a repeat of those heroics.

The Swedish defender was caught in a moment of indecision by Carl Dickinson, Maxwell saving, Stephen Jordan helping deflect Foley's effort over the bar.

Fleetwood's reaction after the break was immediate, Antoni Sarcevic rattling the bar within minutes of the restart, his thundering effort rebounding off the line.

Then Bobby Grant tested Jak Alnwick, turning and firing a stinging shot from Conor McLaughlin's cross.

Back came Vale, Matty Kennedy heading over from close range, Ajay Leitch Smith forcing another save from Maxwell as the play-off chasers went in hunt of a winner.

But Fleetwood never gave up, Ash Hunter's energy bringing hope in the later stages, the visitors ulitmately unable to turn strong approach play into any further clear opportunities.