It was a disappointing performance from Jon Brady’s men, who never truly got to grips with an impressive home team.
Vale were full of running, energy and attacking invention, pinging the ball around with confidence, with Brady admitting his team was ‘suffocated’.
Alfie Devine, Oliver Arblaster and the impressive Funso Ojo were at the heart everything the home side did, and although the Cobblers defended well and limited the amount of clear-cut chances, they were eventually worn down.
Substitute Ben Garrity was the man to break the deadlock, firing home a 20-yard strike five minutes from time.
Town were left to rue Sam Hoskins passing up their best chance just a matter of minutes earlier, but in truth the home side deserved their victory.
Here are our player ratings from an off-day at Vale Park...
1. Lee Burge
It was great to see the big goalkeeper back between the sticks, and it was like he'd never been away - exudes calmness and composure. Beaten by a good strike... 7 Photo: Pete Norton
2. Akin Odimayo
Started on the right of a four, was switched to the centre of defence and then withdrawn at half-time due to illness. Not the happiest of afternoons... 6 Photo: Pete Norton
3. Sam Sherring
Like most of his team-mates, Sherring found it hard work containing the attacking movement and flow of the home side, but he stuck to his guns well. Fingers crossed his injury isn't serious... 6 Photo: Pete Norton
4. Jon Guthrie
The Cobblers were under pressure for most of the game, and an extremely fit Vale side never stopped moving and probing with a lot of interchanging in attack, but Guthrie was unfazed. An absolute rock at the heart of defence. Two goal-saving blocks in second half... CHRON STAR MAN 8 Photo: Pete Norton