Vale crafted their first chance in the tenth minute when a wayward header was pounced on by David McGoldrick, but his long-range effort failed to test Danny Coyne as the ball flew over the bar.
After a previous failed free-kick, the home side did better in their second attempt when Paul Harlsey swung the ball to the back post for Mark Salmon but the midfielder's header fell into the goalkeeper's arms.
Set-pieces looked to be the Valiants' main threat as McGoldrick worried the visitors once again with a 25-yard effort that came back off Coyne's right post.
McGoldrick seemed determined to get his name on the score-sheet and almost did just that when Mark McGregor's right-sided cross was met by the striker but his header lacked enough direction to send it into the net.
The three-pronged attack that had reaped results against Gillingham seemed to be working again as Luke Rodgers almost put his side ahead just before the break when his shot had to be parried for a corner by Coyne.
Lee Sinnott's men came out for the second half in a similar spirit but still could not find the goal they were looking for with both Marc Laird and Rodgers going close in the opening four minutes.
Tranmere's first real chance finally arrived in the 55th minute when Chris Greenacre whipped in a cross from the left only for Jennison Myrie-Williams to smash the ball into the stand behind the goal.
Despite camping out in the opposition's half for the final ten minutes, the goal that had looked on the cards for Vale failed to materialise, leaving the sides to share the points.