Wolves winger Michael Kightly’s busy comeback climaxed an evening of positives on a night when the first pre-season defeat in over 12 months was the only negative.

Although academy keeper Daniel Wright – making his senior debut in place of Carl Ikeme and Marcus Hahnemann, who were both protecting minor injuries – saw his side twice fall behind, Wolves showed plenty of signs of moving on from their early summer rustiness.

Kightly’s comeback, making his first appearance since breaking his foot on March 21, along with encouraging performances from fellow wingers Matt Jarvis and Elliott Bennett, plus the continued bedding in of Ronald Zubar were just some of the highlights of a worthwhile evening.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: “I was disappointed we conceded in the last few minutes and I didn’t want to lose, but it was another good workout.

“It was a bit like the Walsall game, in that Port Vale put a load of fresh legs on and we got done by a good bit of pace and a great finish.

“I thought we played well, particularly in the second half and probably better than the previous night.

“We’re just looking at fitness and it was great to have Kightly back and other plusses were goalkeeper Danny Wright, who I thought was great, Stephen Ward who played really well in the middle of the park, and James Spray was different class when he came on.

“George Elokobi got 90 minutes, Matt Jarvis again showed what he can do, while Christophe Berra and Ronald Zubar were solid enough.”

Wolves were the better side throughout, even if the majority of opportunities were half chances.

Dave Edwards drilled wide after Sam Vokes had turned a searching ball from Kevin Foley into his path, before Bennett saw a rising long-range effort fly narrowly over.

Ward, playing central midfield in the absence of Nenad Milijas who had to receive his work permit in person in Serbia, then had two efforts blocked at point-blank range from Jarvis’s cross.

Almost immediately, Wolves fans were treated to a fine piece of recovery from Zubar after his mis-kick on halfway presented Gareth Owen with a run on goal, before the Frenchman gained some five yards to power past him and win back possession.

The busy Jarvis saw a first-time effort fly straight to keeper Chris Martin, before former Wolves schoolboy and ex-Walsall man Kris Taylor had a headed effort disallowed for offside on 36 minutes.

Vale enjoyed better luck to take the lead a minute before the break, when Doug Loft stormed in unchallenged to head home a deep centre from the impressive Louis Dodds.

In between, Wolves defenders had decent chances to take the lead, Zubar nodding over Ward’s cross from a good position before Christophe Berra got underneath a Kevin Foley centre.

Wolves improved after the break and Jarvis saw a fierce drive palmed upwards by Simon Tomlinson, before Vokes headed disappointingly wide after an excellent run and cross from Bennett.

The visitors got the goal they deserved in the 56th minute – albeit benefiting from a mistake – when Jarvis confidently slotted home after dispossessing John McCombe, following some sloppy play at the back.

Wolves’ progress was checked by eight new arrivals in the 69th minute, although by then they had their own key addition with the arrival of Kightly, five minutes earlier.

His driving run and one-two with Vokes teed up Jarvis for a shot blocked at point-blank range, before the winger was a foot too high with a whipped-in angled effort.

Kightly, Vokes and Jarvis were involved in a sweeping move that saw Ward’s cross hacked away in front of the line, before Vale broke for the winner.

Substitute Robert Taylor showed Foley a clean pair of heels three minutes from time before driving across Wright, after veteran Geoff Horsfield flicked on a long kick.

McCarthy played down the lack of a senior keeper.

He said: “Carl had a stiff back in the morning. He’s had a few problems with that in the past, so we just decided not to play him.

“But it gave Dan a game and some good experience which was great.

“Wayne Hennessey said he’d play again, but he was excellent on Tuesday night and one of the big plusses out of the Walsall game.

“Marcus Hahnemann has just been a precaution with his hip, but we’re hoping he’ll get a game at Hereford on Saturday.”