PLAYERS WILL BE HANDED CHANCE TO IMPRESS BOSS

PORT Vale manager Darrell Clarke says he will use the final four games of the season to experiment as he makes plans for next season. The Vale return to action at Barrow tomorrow having stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with Saturday’s goalless draw at Carlisle. Harry Mckirdy and Mark Cullen came on for the final 15 minutes while Tom Pope made his comeback from injury with an appearance deep into injury-time.

Clarke said: “I am just looking at one or two different things. One or two more players in the next four games will get certain minutes. “I want to have a look at things, certainly now the winning run has gone, I want to have a look at one or two more players.

“There are only four games left, so I can make my mind up on certain decisions and there is nothing better than seeing some players in competitive games.”

Cristian Montano could be a doubt for Barrow after picking up a knock which forced him off to be replaced by David Amoo at half-time.

Jake Taylor and Kurtis Guthrie were left out of the squad with slight knocks so will also be assessed.

Vale were looking for a seventh straight win for the first time since 1893, but faced a Carlisle side who were trying to break into the play-off places.

Neither side created much in a game high on commitment but low on chances.

Clarke added: “I would have liked to have got the 1893 record. We built that up before the game. But Carlisle are no mugs, they are on a good run of form themselves, so we knew it was going to be a test. I am sure we will be more pleased with a point than they are.”

He added: “It was a battling point. We are obviously disappointed not to win the game but I thought in the first half they were the better team. “In the second half we have had a couple of better chances than them and Browny’s not had a lot of work to do.”