Defender reflects on frustrating night as the Vale held to 1-1 draw by Accrington Stanley.

• Mal Benning | “We should have won, but we will keep going”
• Port Vale defender assesses our 1-1 draw against Accrington Stanley in League One
• Benning: “We, myself included, have had chances, but we have got to keep fighting, keep creating them chances and I’m sure things turn.”

Port Vale defender Mal Benning says Tuesday night’s draw against Accrington Stanley summed up the Vale’s recent fortunes as Darrell Clarke’s side were frustrated by the visitors at Vale Park.

Speaking post-match, Benning said:

“It’s been the story of the past few weeks, the frustration can be annoying for everyone involved, but we have got to keep going.

“We responded to the goal that we conceded, and we should have won realistically, but we keep going and keep fighting.

“Everyone has got different tactics and gameplans when you play against them, if that’s their way they are going to play then we have to find a way around it and we nearly did.

“It’s a frustrating time at the moment, but we responded to the goal that we conceded, and after the penalty we were trying to create more chances.

“I think we need that little bit of a break now to get that second goal and win the game, but I’m sure that will come because as the fans and club have seen, the players, the gaffer, we don’t give up, and we’ll keep fighting.”

On the game’s controversial moment, when Nathan Smith saw a second half goal disallowed and pulled back for a Vale penalty, Benning added:

“I personally thought when Smudge [Nathan Smith] tapped the ball in it should have been given, but the referee made his decision, and we have to deal with it.

“I was going to celebrate with Smudge, but it’s one of those where he has given the penalty, given the red, and penalties can be harsh sometimes and it was today.”

On looking for a response as the Vale head to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, backed by a sell out away following, Benning continued:

“We are all giving our all. The final third play we’ve been looking at, where we can get in better positions, creating, scoring, but today we created more chances than the past few games.

“We - myself included - have had chances, but we have got to keep fighting, keep creating them chances and I’m sure things turn.

“It’s a bit of a sticky patch; I’ve been through little sticky patches in my career many a time, but what you have got to do is keep working, like the gaffer will make sure we do, and keep going as players. Things will turn definitely.”