Manager delighted with players’ response as the Vale come from behind to win at Forest Green Rovers on New Year’s Day.

• Darrell Clarke | “The mentality in this group is very strong”
• Port Vale manager reflects on his side’s 3-1 win at Forest Green Rovers in League One on New Year's Day
• Clarke: “That’s 13 points now that we’ve come from behind this season, we were second in League Two last season from coming from behind, that shows the mentality of the group is very good, [it’s] very strong.”

Manager Darrell Clarke praised the mentality of his players as they produced a dramatic late comeback in the pouring rain against Forest Green Rovers on New Year’s Day.

Reflecting post-match with iFollow the Vale as goals from Mipo Odubeko, Ellis Harrison and Dennis Politic cancelled out a second minute opener for the hosts from Kyle McAllister, Clarke spoke of the importance of his game-changers in securing points from a losing position once again.

 “It was a poor start, we didn’t keep the ball, so I was very frustrated at half-time,” Clarke said. “It looked like it was not going to be our afternoon, but then the game-changers made the difference, which is what we are about as a group, they’re there, they’re ready to come on and that’s been a consistent thing over a sustained period of time.

“That’s 13 points now that we’ve won from behind this season, we were second in League Two last season for coming from behind, that shows the mentality of the group is very good, it’s very strong.

“It was a tough day for our away fans in the pouring rain, but we thank them for the support and hopefully they’ve gone home happy.”

The Vale went into the half-time interval a goal down after McAllister fired in after just two minutes. Despite controlling the majority of the game, Clarke’s side couldn’t find the breakthrough until Odubeko fired in four minutes from time.

Harrison’s penalty – following good play from Tom Pett – and Politic’s third came in 14 minutes of additional time after Lewis Cass had to be stretchered off following an awkward fall.

Clarke confirmed post-match that Cass was OK and praised his medical team for their response, as well as that of his players, who remained calm to secure a late victory.

“I was frustrated that we gave a team low on confidence a goal start because we dominated a lot of the game without being clinical over the final third,” Clarke added.

“But then, calm heads after that, look for the response, and the boys did that.”

“Mipo has been training outstandingly well, he’s had an illness and is coming back from that alright. He would have probably started the game, but for that, so I’m pleased for him to get his goal.”