Although Vale may feel they have stopped the rot with three draws in a row, in reality they should have buried Cheltenham.
The problem for Vale is that the goals aren't going in like they did in August and September. Vale made chance after chance, but it's going to be a long season if they can't convert them.
Justin Richards was desperate to score against his former club, but even he fluffed his best chance on 20 minutes after Marc Richards put him through on goal.
With Vale dominating by playing 5 across the middle, Louis Dodds' rocket of a shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Scott Brown.
But Vale's best chance came when Cheltenham's centre-half Andy Gallinagh beat Justin Richards to Marc Richards' cross, and headed the ball against his own post.
He would have been Vale's hero today.
But Vale hang on to second place.