Port Vale made their second long trip in a week yesterday as they travelled north to Carlisle United.
Danny Pugh returned to the starting eleven, filling in for the suspended James Gibbons as the youngster began his four-match ban.
Vale’s number eight spoke exclusively to the club about the change in position: “It was okay. It is somewhere I have played before so it is not completely new to me – So no problems there,” he said.
Vale came away from Cumbria with all three points thanks to Tyrone Barnett’s first league goal for the club, and another one for Tom Pope. Pugh expressed his delight at the performance from the lads: “We are very pleased. Overall it was a good performance.
“We are a bit disappointed to concede the goal when we did – They put a bit of pressure on us in the last 10 minutes.
“Apart from that we played well, we defended well and we took our chances at the other end very well.”
Vale were put under the cosh in the final 10 minutes, and came away from the game with three vital points thanks to some goalkeeping heroics from Ryan Boot, and the midfielder heaped praise upon the youngster: “He’s done brilliantly since he has come in. He is a young keeper and he is improving every game.
“As you can see he has made a couple of brilliant saves today and he will just keep getting better and better.”
Vale now have back-to-back wins in the league following a difficult spell, and Pugh is looking to extend their winning run: “That’s the main thing.
“We need to get a run of results together, and to start the Christmas period with an away win is fantastic.”
Vale will be looking to make it three league wins in three as they make the trip to their third of three consecutive league away games next weekend.