The first game without Jim Gannon was not the exciting event that it was billed.
The first half was fairly nondescript, and the second half only came alive when lowly Hereford managed a goal from James McQuilkin, a long range drive that beat Stuart Tomlinson.
With Lee Collins, Gareth Owen, Anthony Griffith and Gary Roberts all recalled, and both Taylors on as substitutes, Vale piled foward.
Vale left it very late, 3 minutes into injury time, when substitute TOm Pope thumped home a powerful header from a free kick.
They are only 5 points off a promotion spot, and have a game in hand on half the teams above them.
But Vale missed the opportunity to go 5th...and fall to 9th!