Neil Aspin has said he is encouraged by his battling Port Vale side as they hope to make it two wins from two home games against Mansfield Town tomorrow.
The Valiants will look to follow on from Saturday’s 1-0 win over Barnet with a victory against promotion-chasing Mansfield on Tuesday.
The gaffer believes that their victory was hard-earned on Saturday and has been impressed by his hard-working Vale side as they make it four unbeaten in all competitions now.
The gaffer said: “It was essential that we picked up points early, if we went on another run of games without winning then we would have a mountain to climb.
“Now, we are in a fight with a lot of other teams. It’s encouraging to see that the players can fight, they can scrap and they can graft.
“That’s going to be needed if we want to get out of trouble because you won’t be able to play pretty football and get out of a relegation battle.”
In League Two, Vale have only won two games at home this season but tomorrow could be a good opportunity to make it two wins in a row if victory over the Stags can be confirmed.
Despite this opportunity, Aspin says he doesn’t look at the form table and only looks to pick up important points week by week.
“I don’t look at if we have won two in a row or something,” says the gaffer.
“It’s a game where we have a chance to take points against a team who’s up there and challenging.
“It’s a tough game, but when I came into these two home games everybody was saying how important they are. We knew Saturday was important but every game is.
“It’s an opportunity to pick up points and we will look at it like that.”
The Valiants will be without Antony Kay for tomorrow’s clash as the gaffer believes that it’s a blow due to the fact that he wants to select a settled team.
He said: “We’ve known for a while that he was one booking away.
“It’s unfortunate because we want to pick a settled team, so once someone is suspended there has to be a change. I’m disappointed because I thought he did well on Saturday, he’s done well since I’ve been here, he’s had a first-class attitude.
“When I’ve asked him to play in midfield he’s done a good job but it’s disappointing to see that he will be missing tomorrow."