Town's reserves - including former Vale winger Malvin Kamara - were made to rue missed chances this afternoon as they went down 3-1 to their second-string counterparts from Vale Park.
Lucas Akins hit the post in the first-half and Mitchell Bailey forced a fine second-half save from Vale 'keeper Lloyd Ransome and both near-misses proved crucial as the home side twice went straight up the other end to find the net.
Port Vale's opener on 17 minutes came after good work down the right flank by Vale's Joe Cardle, who squared to team-mate Danny Glover to fire home from the edge of the box.
Town coped well with a period of pressure from the hosts but could do nothing stop Rob Taylor scoring a close-range header to double Vale's lead.
The Terriers did pull one back right before half time as David Mirfin (pictured) headed in from close range following a Town corner. Joe Skarz's floated delivery troubled Vale 'keeper Ransome enough for him to parry the ball to the advancing centre back, who gratefully nodded home at the back stick.
Two Town changes during the interval saw both men involved in the goal - Skarz and Mirfin - replaced by Lewis Nightingale and Spencer Harris.
Town were again guilty of not taking their chances after the break. Mitchell Bailey's effort, turned away by the legs of Vale's 'keeper, came immediately before the hosts opened up a two-goal lead once again.
A 54th minute header from a Steve Thompson gave Simon Eastwood no chance in the Town goal, as he powerfully headed home a Mark McGregor cross.
Town Academy graduate Akins missed the target with an effort soon after, as he burst into the Vale box but could only drag his shot wide of Ransome's goal.
The returning Malvin Kamara received a warm reception from the Vale Park crowd as he was replaced by Curtis Roberts after the hour.
Vale ended the game the stronger and could have scored further goals, as substitute James Lawrie twice went close.
Town created no further chances and succumbed to a Vale side that included former Town loanee Dan Smith at left back.
Huddersfield Town
Simon Eastwood, Danny Racchi, Daniel Codman, Aaron Hardy (c), David Mirfin (Spencer Harris 46), Tom Clarke, Malvin Kamara (Curtis Roberts 60), Joe Skarz (Lewis Nightingale 46), Lucas Akins, Danny Schofield, Mitchell Bailey
Unused Subs: David Heagney, David Pickering
