A STRONG Port Vale reserves side salvaged a draw at home to Sheffield United thanks to an own goal.

The Blades took the lead through Johnny Ertle's precise header, but Vale levelled before the break when Seamus Conneely headed into his own net.

Neither side was able to find a decisive second during an evenly-contested game which struggled to spark into life for long periods.

But Gareth Owen's men were ultimately good value for their first draw in four second-string league clashes which have also included two wins and one defeat.

Vale named a strong team predominantly made up of senior players including goalkeeper Chris Martin, midfielder Gary Roberts and striker Sean Rigg.

Vale shaded the early stages as lively attacker Louis Dodds fed Rigg, whose 12-yard strike deflected wide of the right-hand post.

The Valiants passed the ball with confidence, but Martin had to be on his guard to tip over a wicked cross from Blades winger Jordan Chappell.

At the other end, Dodds slipped in striker Ben Williamson, whose driven cross was gathered by Blades keeper Mihkel Aksalu.

Rigg then netted with a cute chip but the whistle had already blown after Vale were caught offside.

Dodds drove forward before finding Rigg, who resisted the temptation to crash in a first-time shot, instead hanging up a cross to the far post, where Williamson was lurking. But Blades full-back Warren Brown was well positioned to head clear.

Seconds later, Roberts' corner was met by Charlie Raglan, who has just completed his loan spell with non-league Hinckley United, but the right-back headed over.

Roberts fizzed a 25-yard free-kick wide after Conneely hauled down midfielder Kingsley James.

The Blades were a powerful unit who were never going to be bullied into submission as they attacked with purpose on occasions.

That was certainly the case on 26 minutes when Martin did well to parry a well-struck shot on the angle from striker Danny Philliskirk.

Four minutes later, Blades midfielder Kevin McDonald failed to test Martin as he blazed over from distance.

The visitors did take the lead on 33 minutes, however, after Chappell collected possession on the right. The winger's pinpoint delivery was perfectly weighted for Ertl to race on to the ball and guide his header home from 10 yards.

But Vale equalised in fortunate circumstances just two minutes later from a Roberts free-kick.

Williamson flicked the ball straight to the hapless Conneely, who could only deflect the ball into the bottom corner with a 12-yard header.

And Williamson almost handed Vale the lead at the end of a tight first period, but Aksalu did well to beat away his ferocious edge-of-the-box drive.

The Blades went straight on to the front foot at the start of the second period as Martin repelled Conneely's rasping effort before the danger was cleared.

Martin had far less trouble catching Warren's weak 20-yard shot on 55 minutes before Vale survived a huge let off.

New loan left-back Shane O'Connor allowed the dangerous Chappell to steal in and cross to Erik Tonne, who smashed a low 10-yard volley against the right-hand post.

The game evened out again as the half wore on as Clayton McDonald's excellent challenge blocked Philliskirk's goal-bound 73rd-minute shot.

On 77 minutes, Williamson broke free in the right channel before Rigg fired his centre over the bar with what proved to be Vale's final genuine chance.

Port Vale: Martin, Raglan, Davis (Thorley, 75), McDonald, O'Connor, Dodds, James, Roberts, Roe (Lloyd, 90), Williamson, Rigg. Not used: Johnson, Plant, Jeffries.

Sheffield United: Aksalu, Conneely, Jean-Francois (Parrino 61), Warren, Brown, Ertl, Chappell, McDonald, Tonne (Murray 83), Philliskirk, Flynn (Gregory, 73). Not used: Long.

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