IT'S A GAME OF TWO HALVES AS VALIANTS ARE EDGED OUT

PORT Vale's return to League One ended in a 2-1 defeat but they were applauded off the pitch after a spirited second-half showing at Rotherham United.

- Clive Youlton

Perhaps Darren Moore will look back on his team selection with regret after his side shipped two goals in the first half and looked second best.

The fact Jaheim Headley was sent off just beyond the half-hour mark hardly helped but a trio of changes at the break made a massive difference as Vale clawed their way back through Connor Hall's goal and dominated with 10 men, only to miss out on a point they came so close to gaining.

Changing a midfield two to three at the break was key and Ryan Croasdale's introduction proved critical.

Rotherham had a man red-carded themselves with a quarter of an hour plus stoppage to play.

But it was that 'welcome to the higher level' showing in the opening 45 minutes that was ultimately Vale's undoing.

Moore gave debuts to four players as Marco Marosi, Cameron Humphreys, Jordan Shipley and Ben Waine were named in a 3-4-3 formation.

Injured keeper Ben Amos was absent as were Jordan Gabriel and Ben Garrity who were not recovered sufficiently from injury to feature. There was no sign of Rhys Walters either.

Last season's player of the year Croasdale was left on the bench, which proved to be a mistake from Moore, while Funso Ojo was a surprise inclusion among the substitutes.

Headley gave away a needless free-kick after just 20 seconds which was the start of a bad day for him.

When Jesse Debrah cleared the centre Liam Kelly drilled a shot from the edge of the box that flew just wide.

A neat move a few seconds later, this time after a mistake from Debrah who was dispossessed, saw Joe Powell flash an effort that whizzed past Marosi's other post.

If there was any doubt that the level had stepped up from last season, Vale were reminded of it in those opening few minutes and they were outclassed in the first half.

Waine's general holdup play looked good early on and Vale started to play even though Rotherham pressed high in an attempt to stifle their opponents.