ASKEY PLEASED TO SEE VALIANTS RESPOND IN BIG HOME MEETING

Michael

JOHN Askey praised the character of his team as they condemned Salford to a first League Two defeat of the season in a hard-fought game at Vale Park. Cristian Montano’s 86thminute volley separated the teams, leaving Askey to reflect on a 1-0 victory that lifts his side to eighth. Even if they hadn’t won, he would have been pleased with his team’s efforts as they responded to backto-back league defeats, at home to Carlisle and at Morecambe.

He said: “What I was pleased about was the determination they showed. They battled hard. It is not easy when you have lost a couple, and also are playing against a really good team. “It is what we needed.” Vale weren’t at their flowing best going forward, but were up against the pre-season title favourites.

But Scott Brown saved Ian Henderson’s first-half penalty and made another fine stop to deny James Wilson to ensure Montano’s late goal was enough.

Askey said: “If you are not winning then everything is wrong isn’t it? You win and you might not have done everything right, but everyone is happy.

“It puts us in a decent position now and hopefully we can follow that up. But as long as they work hard, then we won’t go far wrong.” He added: “Nobody is going to walk away with the league. There isn’t that much difference, as we saw here. Salford probably have the best players in the league, but at the moment they are not quite firing. “It’s going to be tough but hopefully we can achieve something. But I have never known football run smoothly!”

Vale were only able to field six players on the bench because of injuries. Alex Hurst would have been a substitute, but is having to isolate because he has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.