Port Vale manager John Askey says the Vale can't afford to worry about other results and must focus on improving their own.

The Valiants were defeated at Vale Park 2-1 last night by Tranmere Rovers which meant Askey's search for his first win in charge of the club continued. 

With the likes of Cheltenham Town and Notts County upcoming away from home for the Valiants, the need for a win to pull away from the relegation zone increased dramatically, after the likes of Morecambe picked up a second win on the bounce away to Oldham. 

Despite teams around Vale beginning to pick up points here and there, Askey's only focus is on getting Vale's form back on track with a win at Cheltenham this weekend.

"We have to keep moving onto the next game. If we get three points in the next game, we move on to the following one. We can't worry about what other teams are doing.

"If we start to hope people lose we're asking for trouble. We've just got to concentrate on ourselves and getting the three points. If we get enough wins then we'll be fine.

"It hurts, there will be one or two players who won't sleep. Supporters sometimes think it doesn't affect players or managers, but it does. It affects us more than anybody... all we want to do is try and put it right."

After naming Aspin's side from Newport for his first two fixtures in charge, Askey opted to rotate his squad for the first time last night by introducing Ben Whitfield and Tom Conlon to the starting 11.

Whits, who has not featured as much recently due to a knee injury, came in for Mark Harris whilst Conlon filled in for the injured Luke Joyce. Midfielder David Worrall has also found himself getting more minutes under his belt with Askey in charge, and came on as a substitute last night.

Whitfield scored Vale's first goal since Crawley last night whilst Worrall impressed after coming on for Hannant, and Askey took positives from their performances.

"I knew he (Worrall) had had a decent career. I was looking for a little bit more and he showed that, he showed he's a decent player. That's what we need, good pro's who know what they're doing. Worrall showed that and it caused them problems and force them back.

"When I first came in Ben wasn't fit, he hadn't played and had a bit of an injury. He played his first reserves game the other day and scored so this was the first opporunity where he's been 100% fit and been able to start.

"You're always looking. All I'm looking for is players who go on there, improve us and want to keep the shirt and try and find out the best way that we're going to get a result."