Port Vale defender Nathan Smith has set his eyes on getting a first clean sheet of the season against Forest Green Rovers tomorrow evening.

The Valiants came within minutes of securing their first win and clean sheet of the season on Saturday away to Salford City, but conceded in the 93rd minute to force them to settle for a point.

Frustration is a word that's been used several times amongst the Vale squad and management staff since the start of the season, as the Vale have taken the lead in all three league games so far this season but failed to see out the games for a win.

It's a problem which manager John Askey has identified and is working on with the players to try and improve, but one player who is desperate to solve the issue this is Nathan Smith, and he's hoping to achieve that tomorrow evenining against Rovers.

"It was a problem last year that we went behind early on in a lot of games but this year we seem to have rectified that and we've gone in front.

"As a defender it's upsetting to know that we've had the lead in all three games and we've let it slip all three times. It's something that as defenders we're looking at.

"We need to get our first clean sheet under our belt and help the team. Me and Leggey have played a lot of games together and I think we're getting better and getting stronger."

The 23 year old has admitted that it's nice to be playing alongside Leon Legge and have a regular centre back partner after years of having defenders chopped and changed around him.

Smudge is a player who's seen plenty of change over the years at Vale having been here since he was a youngster and progressing through the ranks. From managers, players and owners, the defender has been through all the ups and downs of the club. 

Now under the new ownership of Carol and Kevin Shanahan, Smudge believes the futures looking bright for the Vale and it's refreshing to see the positives changes around the club, no matter how big or small the changes are.

"I think everyone knows there's been a lot of change. There's that feel good factor around the club and I've got to say Carol and Kevin have come in and done a tremendous job.

"They've changed things from the changing rooms, the stands, to the way the clubs run. I think they couldn't have done a better job with the short space of time they've had.

"Even stupid things like painting walls where they used to be flaking off, it's just brightened up the whole club again. People are walking around the stadium with smiles on their faces and I think everyones days a lot better. It makes coming in a lot easier and makes it a more enjoyable environment.