Consistency seems to be a problem at Vale Park with yet again a lower team, this time in the shape of Torquay, stealing the points.
Port Vale's opening play looked impressive but both Jeff Smith and captain Sam Collins squandered early chances.
Torquay seemed to favour a counter-attacking approach and it almost paid off on 17 minutes when Tony Bedeau threaded a ball for Martin Gritton but his shot under Jonathan Brain trickled wide.
Recent Valiants signing Nathan Lowndes looked sharp with his link-up play alongside Billy Paynter causing problems amongst the defence.
Bedeau threatened the home goal on 36 minutes when Leon Constantine gifted him a chance but his low drive from 10 yards was saved superbly by Brain.
The Gulls finally took the lead four minutes before the break when Kevin Hill got ahead of George Pilkington and headed Lee Canoville's cross into the goalkeeper's bottom right corner.
Vale didn't waste any time equalising and levelled through Michael Cummins on 49 minutes.
The midfielder headed Smith's cross in off the bar to end his goal drought.
The Valiants' considerable possession should have presented them with a second but it was the visitors who resumed their lead.
Towering Constantine didn't even have to jump to nod home Alex Russell's corner at the back post after 65 minutes.
The home side plugged away late on to try and salvage a point but a much more organised Torquay defence prevented a leveller.