Peter Brezovan started in goal for Swindon for his first league game for over a year.
Port Vale were awarded a penalty on 18 minutes after a Vale shot hit the hand of Craig Easton. Luke Rodges took the kick and scored with the ball going in off the bar after he hit it down the middle.
Within seconds Swindon were level after a free kick with met by Lee Peacock who guided the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1 after 19 minutes.
Danny Whitaker then scored for Port Vale on 26 minutes with a goal from the edge of the box beating Brezovan.
After that the game died down with few chances for either side.
In the second half Simon Cox came close, but in came to nothing, and then with just about the the last kick of the game Swindon should have equalised with Simon Coc just having the 'keeper to beat which he did, but he hit his shot over and into the away fans.
Overall a poor game where Swindon didn't create many chances, although should have picked up a draw at least.