However, visiting Cheltenham proved tough opposition as they continue to fight for their League One status.
The home side seemed keen to take an early lead when some poor defending gifted Danny Whitaker the ball on the edge of the box, but his shot was straight down the throat of the goalkeeper.
The Valiants flirted with danger just before the half hour when loose marking by George Pilkington allowed Kayode Odejayi to shoot from 12 yards, but the underside of the crossbar kept the scores level.
The deadlock was finally broken three minutes before the break when Jason Talbot won back possession in his own half to supply Leon Constantine with a pass inside to kick start a Vale counter attack.
The Robins defence was stretched to breaking point when Constantine's pass out to the flank found Malvin Kamara arriving, who smashed a low shot on to Shane Higgs' right post and into the net.
Cheltenham almost levelled four minutes after the restart when Odejayi was presented with another shooting opportunity inside the box, but Joe Anyon got down well to palm the ball away.
Anyon was put to the test by the visiting striker once again when he attempted a long-range curling effort, but the young goalkeeper dealt with the threat competently once more.
Martin Foyle's men pushed on for a second in the 62nd minute when the ball bounced kindly for Kamara on the edge of the box, only for the winger to fire the half-volley inches wide.
Craig Armstrong's 70th minute long throw proved to be a catalyst the visitors needed with Vale's defence failing to clear it, helping Michael Townsend to volley the ball into the roof of the net from four yards.
The home fans were forced to the edge of their seats in the dying minutes when substitute Steven Gillespie broke down the left to squeeze a shot in at the by-line, but a sigh of relief was breathed as Anyon saved.