Rob Page has heaped praise on Port Vale’s first half performance against Southend United.

Ajay Leitch-Smith and Michael O’Connor both scored and the Shrimpers conceded an own goal inside the first 40 minutes at Vale Park.

Speaking to Valiant PlayerHD after the match, the manager expressed his delight at how his players applied themselves against Phil Brown’s side.

“It was tremendous, it really was,” he said. We could have had a couple more really, late on. I thought the delivery made a big difference today.

“I was very critical of the lads last week for the quality of delivery into the box. Oakes bring you that.

“So as soon as he came back into the team, we’ve worked on it the last two days as well with set pieces and to get Ajay’s goal from it and I thought the free kick went straight in.

“But if you’ve got the delivery right in the right areas, a little tough off their defender might put the ball in the back of the net so pleasing overall.”

Click in the icon below to watch the full Valiant PlayerHD interview with Rob Page.