PORT Vale's preparations for the new season hit a snag last night as Scottish Premier League Outfit Aberdeen inflicted their first pre-season defeat.

The game, which only came alive for long spells during the second half, was settled by Michael Paton's late penalty.

Valiants boss Micky Adams said: "We're disappointed to lose the game and we gave away a soft penalty.

"We didn't deserve to lose and I'm not going to get too upset about losing a pre-season game.

"We got stronger as the game wore on and the players got another 90 minutes under their belt which will stand them in good stead."

Adams named a strong side as the Burslem faithful got a peek at four of the club's summer signings.

Striker Justin Richards (arrived from Cheltenham), centre-half Ritchie Sutton (Nantwich Town) and keeper Stuart Tomlinson (Barrow) were all included in the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, former Crewe midfielder Gary Roberts also made his first start in a Valiants shirt after agreeing to join the club on a six-month deal earlier in the day.

Centre-half Gareth Owen continued to be sidelined with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be fit for Saturday's home clash with Walsall.

The game was played at a brisk pace early on and its competitive nature was epitomised by Tommy Fraser's committed challenge on Aberdeen striker Darren Mackie, which left Vale's captain requiring treatment.

Vale left-back Lee Collins had the game's first shot on goal but after skipping inside past Fraser Fyvie the 21-year-old dragged a weak drive beyond the near left-hand post.

Fraser eventually hobbled off on 18 minutes, before Tomlinson collected a stinging 25-yard drive from left back Andrew Considine at the second attempt.

Roberts was pulling the strings in midfield, often dropping deep to showcase his extensive range of passing.

On 30 minutes, Sean Rigg's through ball into the right-hand channel found Justin Richards whose well-struck angled drive was blocked by the legs of Dons keeper Mark Howard.

The first-half degenerated into a scrappy affair, although a sweeping Aberdeen move led to Tomlinson gulping up a decent 14-yard strike from substitute Jim Collins.

Four minutes after the break Aberdeen winger Chris Maguire went down under Adam Yates's tackle in Vale's box but his appeal was waved away.

The game finally began to open up again as Marc Richards's delicately struck 19-yard free-kick was deflected over the bar.

Richards almost got on the end of Roberts's excellent chipped-in cross after the midfielder bamboozled Aberdeen's defence with some nifty footwork.

Vale substitute Anthony Griffith earned a rare pre-season booking for a late challenge on Fyvie and was promply replaced by Rob Taylor.

Taylor soon had the 1,824-strong home crowd off their seats by bursting through the middle, before running out of room on the edge of the area and poking the ball well wide.

But Taylor blotted his copybook with nine minutes left after Vale gave away possession cheaply.

Ryan Jack pounced on the ball before Taylor's clumsy challenge sent him sprawling in the area to concede a penalty and Paton guided the ball into the right-hand corner.

Port Vale: Tomlinson, Yates, McCombe, Sutton (K Taylor, 80), Collins, Rigg, Roberts (Dodds, 45), Fraser (Griffith, 17, R Taylor, 70), Loft, J Richards, M Richards.

Not used: Martin, Morsy.

Aberdeen: Howard, McArdle (Magennis, 59), Jerel, Diamond, Considine (Basey, 46), Maguire (Paton, 54), Young (Megginson, 63), Folly, Fyvie (Robertson, 83) Mackie (Collins, 19, Shaughnessy, 63), Vernon (Jack, 59).

Not used: Bain.