Pope has the answer to Valiants’ prayers...

PORT VALE manager Neil Aspin lauded his players after they sealed victory away to Oldham Athletic.

Vale were looking to bounce back from three consecutive league defeats – most recently 6-2 at home to Lincoln City – and Tom Pope’s first-half penalty saw them achieve their goal.

Aspin said: “We knew Oldham would put us under pressure and, regardless of the result, I told the players I wanted 100 per cent effort and commitment, especially after (the Lincoln game) last week.

“I don’t think we’ve had any luck at times this season, but we got the rub of the green and did a good job.

“It hasn’t been an easy week for the players because there’s no excuse for conceding six goals in one game and it’s a blow to the pride, but this is the perfect tonic.

“You are only ever one bad week from being under pressure or one good week from being in form, but the bigger picture is 46 games and you have to fight back and pick up results.”

Both sides created early chances, with Callum Lang firing inches off target for Oldham and home goalkeeper Daniel Iversen making a point-blank save from Nathan Smith.

Vale’s breakthrough came after 37 minutes when Latics defender Peter Clarke barged Luke Hannant to the ground as the pair chased a hopeful ball over the top. From the resulting penalty, Pope sent Iversen the wrong way.

Oldham felt they should have had a spot-kick for Smith’s challenge on Lang, while Dan Gardner went close to equalising after the restart. Though the hosts dominated long spells of the second half, they lacked cutting edge against a packed and determined Vale backline.

Clarke almost forced in from 10 yards and Jose Baxter sliced wide, but Oldham slipped to their fourth home defeat of the season. Oldham boss Frankie Bunn said: “You can’t legislate for the penalty we conceded. I don’t know what Clarke was thinking when he made the challenge because the ball was running out of play.

“That put us on the back foot and Peter will have to hold his hands up, but in the second half we did everything but score.

“We are one of many sides struggling at home, but there are fighters in the dressing room and we will come back strong.”