Gaffer still angry that challenge on Chris Neal on Tuesday didn't end in a red card

Micky Adams was still unhappy with the challenge which left goalkeeper Chris Neal requiring treatment early on in the game against Dagenham & Redbridge the other night and feels the player involved would have seen more than just a yellow card.

He said: “I spoke to the referee about it at half time, and after reviewing the incident on DVD it was quite clearly it was a sending off offence, without a shadow of a doubt.

“It was a two footed challenge that caught Chris in the face and if that had happened anywhere else on the pitch the boy would have been off. I am disappointed that another major decision has gone against us.

“When you see Chris Neal’s cheekbone, which has swollen up quite a bit over the past two days, it is not a good looking injury. That was a dangerous tackle and the lad should have gone.

“He will be okay for Saturday, there is no doubt at all about that. He is disappointed with the goal he conceded but he is a strong character and it won’t affect him.”

The Vale boss will expect his side to up the tempo after that disappointing performance on Tuesday night here at Vale Park.

He had a go at his players after the match for slowing things down by having too many touches of the ball, and he expects his side to put that right against Exeter City on Saturday.

He said: “If we don’t pass it quickly enough and we allow teams to get players behind the ball and frustrate us then it is always going to be difficult for us.”