Boss expects difficult encounter this Friday but hasn't written off Vale's play-off challenge

Vale boss Rob Page is under no illusion about Vale’s task this Friday when they take on a Southend United side who beat leaders Burton Albion comprehensively on Monday night.

The win which followed two away defeats was the Shrimpers’ first win in three games and manager Phil Brown described it as “A marker put down.”

The victory moved Southend into seventh spot in the table, just two points behind Coventry City in sixth place and with two games in hand over the Sky Blues.

It is easy to see why Brown might be optimistic, but Vale boss Rob Page hasn’t given up all hop e on a play-off place just yet, even though he recognised Vale will have to be at their best on Friday night.

He said: “It will be a tough game, they are well –organised, they are hard-working and they have got quality in the team that can hurt you.

“It will be a tough game, but we don’t fear anybody now at home, and that is not being arrogant, that is being confident.

“We know what we can do on our day at home and it is about keeping that level of performance at home.

“If we can get two or three wins on the bounce then it is back on. Let’s get a win on Friday and let’s climb that table again and see where it goes.

“That is all we can do, like we have all season, take each game as it comes. If you are winning your games, the table will look after itself.”