Inconsistent form has haunted Port Vale of late with a 5-2 win over Chesterfield followed by a 4-0 defeat to QPR but boss Brian Horton was hoping to change that with three points against mid-table Swindon.
It took a while for either side to get a grip on the game but after 19 minutes Danny Invincibile got the better of Peter Clarke before supplying Sam Parkin on the right of the box.
He powered a shot on goal but Mark Goodlad produced an impressive save to his left.
Both teams still had not broken the deadlock by the 38th minute but Swindon seemed to be getting close and narrowly missed opening the scoring when Matt Hewlett drove the ball at goal from 20 yards but it flew narrowly over the crossbar.
Port Vale finally woke up in the 44th minute when a long throw by Sam Collins was flicked on and the loose ball was pounced on by the awaiting Steve Brooker but his shot was parried away by Bart Griemink.
Swindon seemed the better side going into half time but they failed to capitalise on their chances.
The Valiants struck just 15 seconds after the break when the ball came to Steve McPhee on the right of the area. He found Ian Armstrong who had a clear view of goal and blasted a fine 12-yard shot past a stranded Griemink.
Swindon replied quickly and in the 54th minute Alan Reeves looped the ball into the box for Parkin to climb above the Vale defence to nod the ball over Goodlad from five yards.
Vale then struggled to get forward again with Swindon trying but failing to break their strong defence.
Swindon manager Andy King said after the match: "I'd love to play perfect football every week but we had to play to the elements and battle hard.
"They scored early in the second half and we've done well to get back and grab a draw."