By Mark Mothershaw

City's second string battled out for a point with rivals Port Vale at the Lyme Valley Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Noel Blake led the side for the last time before his move to the FA at the end of the month, and fielded a largely youthful line up with only Adam Rooney and Carl Dickinson having played first team football.

Rooney went closest to breaking the deadlock for the Potters while Rob Duggan produced an outstanding save to earn City a point.

The visitors handed starts to first team stars Robin Hulbert, Richard Walker, Nathan Lowndes and Michael Husbands, but neither side could find that elusive opening goal.

City started the brighter of the two sides and nearly went ahead after only two minutes, Nathan McDonald whipped in an inviting centre and Rooney was first to react but his goal ward header was blocked on the line.

Noel Blake's side rallied and long range efforts from Rooney and Ryan Shotton were comfortably saved by veteran Paul Musselwhite.

The visitors started to up the pace mid way through the first half with first team regular Husbands firing into the side netting when well placed.

Rooney then turned provider for City playing an inch perfect through ball for Jamie Pointon, but his shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Hulbert.

Vale almost took the lead on the hour mark when former Plymouth striker Lowndes tried his luck from 20-yards, but his curling effort dipped just over Rob Duggan's upright.

Minutes later Rooney should have put the Potters ahead, McDonald fired in a dangerous ball across the Vale 6-yard box but the Ireland U21 international powered his header just over.

Andy Porter's side nearly grabbed the local bragging rights in the last ten minutes but City keeper Duggan reacted tremendously to flick away Walker's point blank header.

CITY: Duggan, Parsons, Wedderburn, Shotton (Doyle 73), Dickinson (Watson 65), McDonald, Thorley, Robinson, McGaw, Rooney (Brunt 65), Pointon. Subs not used: Ryan, Phillips.

VALE: Musselwhite, Moult (O' Laughlin 60), O' Grady, Walker, Prosser, Carter (Glover 60), Hulbert, Soboljew, Cardle, Lowndes (Davidson 73), Husbands. Subs not used: Martin, Richman.