Port Vale have held Championship outfit Burnley to a 0-0 half-time draw in tonight's first-round League Cup clash in Stoke.

Fifteen minutes elapsed before either side fashioned a chance in a tepid opening at Vale Park, and it was for the hosts as Ebo Andoh fired over following a free kick.

The contest sparked into life on the half-hour mark when Jak Alnwick pulled off a smart stop to keep out Michael Kightly, before George Boyd fired wide from the rebound.

Determined to make things right, Boyd tried his luck from 25 yards minutes later but the ex-Hull City man dragged his left-footed drive narrowly wide.

Little could separate the duo in the remainder of the half as the second period looked poised to be another tight affair.