Three goalless draws saw Vale of White Horse Under 11s bow out of the ESFA Inter-Association Seven-a-side Championship national finals at Watford FC Academy.
With goalkeeper Tom Taylor making some splendid saves, Vale featured in stalemates against Sutton and eventual winners Liverpool.
That left Vale needing to beat Hull to qualify for the semi-finals.
They had the upper hand with Kieran Kerby and Jack Buchanan going close.
But they were were unable to find a way through and a third successive 0-0 deadlock ended their hopes.
It left Vale and Liverpool – who beat Hull 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless final – as the only unbeaten sides on the day.
Vale were also the only association to reach the national finals who had not conceded a goal throughout the entrie competition, also taking in county and regional rounds.
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