Nottingham Forest took the field at a sun-drenched Vale Park in the last match to be played behind closed doors before national restrictions are lifted.
Both sides pressed in the early stages with Jordan Gabriel receiving plenty of possession down Forest’s right.
After 13 minutes, Alex Mighten scored a final goal to put Forest ahead. The 19 year old winger cut in from the left and struck a fierce cross shot in off the far post with Lucas Covolan in the Vale goal well beaten.
Midway through the first half, Port Vale centre forward Devante Rodney found space on the edge of the box and struck a fierce drive which Jordan Smith in the Forest goal spectacularly palmed aside for a corner.
Moments later, Forest broke to take a 2-0 lead. After good hold up play by Nuno da Costa, Joao Carvalho slid a pass to Cafu in the right hand side of the box. Cafu’s cross shot was well saved by Covolan but Jack Colback, following up on the edge of the box, steadied himself before striking home.
Just after the half hour, Smith repeated his earlier save in almost identical fashion as he palmed away a shot from James Wilson who found space in the box after Baba Fernandes was dispossessed.
A good interception and break by Ryan Yates then threatened danger but da Costa blazed over from the outside the box with Cafu overlapping in support.
With the temperature nearing 30 degrees pitch side, the teams were grateful for two first half drinks breaks in what was proving to be a competitive friendly encounter.
Smith was forced to save a Tom Conlon free kick on the stroke of half time but Forest went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 ahead.
The only substitution made by Chris Hughton for the start of the second half was Brice Samba replacing Jordan Smith in goal.
Early in the second half, Mighten, who had swapped wings with Cafu, threatened three times in quick succession from the right hand side as the Vale defence found Forest’s interplay and Mighten’s pace difficult to handle.
Forest made five substitutions after an hour with Joe Lolley retuning from injury and getting his first minutes of pre-season, with Mighten now moving to the central forward role.
Shortly afterwards, Samba was forced into action for the first time palming away another Conlon free kick.
The Reds made three further substitutions after 75 minutes, with many of the Under 23s who featured in the 5-2 victory at Leicester City only 24 hours previously seeing out the latter stages of the match.
Forest are next in pre-season action at Northampton Town on Tuesday (kick-off, 7.45pm). Tickets are still available for this fixture from the Ticket Office for in-person purchase or collection only.
Match statistics
Port Vale: Lucas Covolan, Dan Jones, Brad Walker, Nathan Smith, Ben Garrity, James Wilson, Tom Conlon, Mal Benning, Aaaron Martin, Devante Rodney, Tom Pett
Nottingham Forest: Jordan Smith (Brice Samba, 46); Jayden Richardson (Sam Saunders, 75), Loic Mbe Son, Baba Fernandes (Aaron Donnelly, 75), Jordan Gabriel (Fin Back, 75); Jack Colback (Tyrese Fornah, 60), Ryan Yates (Ollie Hammond, 60); Cafu (Ateef Konate, 60), Joao Carvalho (Josh Barnes, 60), Alex Mighten; Nuno da Costa (Joe Lolley, 60)
Subs: Jordan Wright
Goalscorers: Alex Mighten (13); Jack Colback (24)