Port Vale came from behind, yet again, to snatch all three points in a tightly contested League One fixture.
The Valiants hosted Fleetwood Town on Saturday as they looked to improve on their league form, as October saw them win only once in six in the league.
The tactical substitution of Rigino Cicilia and the return of striker Alex Jones helped Vale on the way to three points.
First team coach Andy Smith spoke to Valiant PlayerHD after the game: “We’re delighted to get the three points. That’s what we came to get today and we got it.
“We showed good determination, good attitude, and a desire not to give up and we got the three points. Everyone played their part,” he continued.
Rigino Cicilia came off the bench to score his second goal for the club, and Alex Jones returned earlier than speculated from a three week lay-off: “Jones has come back in and had a great game today, he does what he does which is score goals. Cicilia came on and got himself a goal which will hopefully build his confidence.”
The Northern Irishman continued: “That’s what we want, and they’re the sorts of people we want at this club. People who are able to come off the bench to do what they’re told on the pitch.”
With that win, Vale went sixth for the time being, before Peterborough United triumphed over Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Vale still sit one point off the play-off places: “It’s important to stick in there. We had a little blip, but we showed great enthusiasm and attitude today, we stuck at it and got the three points.
“It was a big, big result for us which pushes us close to the top six again. We knew we had to win today to keep in touch.”
Port Vale will be hoping to build on their win with another result away at Charlton next week, a trip that Smith knows will be difficult: “It is going to be a difficult game. If we play well and show our fight and determination, then I am sure we will get a good result.”