Gavin Gunning has said that Port Vale deserved all three points at Colchester United but was pleased the 1-1 draw against League Two’s most in-form side.

Marcus Harness got the equaliser 15 minutes from time as the Valiants impressed in Essex. 

Speaking about the draw, “Mad Gav” spoke of his team’s delight in coming back home with at least a point.

He said: “If you offered that result on the way down on the bus, I would have snapped your hand off.

“They’re the in-form team in the league, we dominated the second-half and we should have taken the three points but, it is a good point.” 

Gunning has praised his side’s character in the past two weeks as Vale have managed to score late on in the last two games. He believes that it’s down to all the players coming into form over the last few weeks.

“We have a lot of experienced players and a lot of them are coming into form”, said Gunning.

“We struggled earlier on in the season, we were always in games but we were losing them. For whatever reason, we didn’t get any points but we could have been in the play-offs easily. We got beaten in them games, it happens, but we are doing really well.

“We’ve been getting some really good atmosphere’s. Even when we have been losing, the fans have been great. The gaffer has come in and done well.

“Everyone is happy at the moment.”

Coventry City are next for Neil Aspin’s men as they make the short journey to Burlsem. Gav believes that it should be an interesting Boxing Day encounter, but a tough test for his side. 

“It’ll be a tough test but I believe that we can get the three points,” he added.

“We have Luton after that, but for now, all the focus is on Coventry. It’s at home on our big pitch where not many people enjoy playing on it.

“We have the fans behind us and we’re going for the three points.”