Following Ricky Miller's game-winning performance against Crawley Town on Saturday afternoon, the forward claims he has 'a point to prove' in his search to rediscover form.

Port Vale were dealt a hammer blow last weekend when captain and top goal scorer Tom Pope was ruled out for up to three weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Colchester United.

With Danny Elliot coming into the fold this week, there were question marks around who would be stepping up to take Pope's place as Vale made the long-trip south to face Crawley Town. As it turned out, it would be Ricky who earned his place in the starting 11, and the forward did not disappoint.

His first-half finish proved to be the difference between the sides, capping off what was an all-round impressive performance from the striker. Following the tie, Ricky believes he still has plenty to give to this Port Vale side.

He said: "I'm more focused and I'm starting to get settled. I've got a point to prove - I've had a lot of negative comments but I'm here now, I'm ready to work hard and hopefully we can get some points on the board.

"Popey's a completely different type of player to me. He's our captain, he's scored crucial goals for us this year but someone had to step up and I'm glad I got the winner to take a bit of pressure off the lads.

"You can't just hoof the ball long when he doesn't play. It encouraged us to play and I think, to a man, everyone put in a good shift."

Vale were desperate for a result heading into this weekend's tie with their last three points in the league coming way back in November when they beat Yeovil 3-0.

Aspin handed a full league debut to new-boy Adam Crookes who signed on loan from Nottingham Forest earlier this week, as well as bringing on Danny Elliot with 20 minutes to go to make his first senior appearance in England.

With Adam taking his role up in defence, Ricky was more than impressed with not only Vale's attacking play, but their work going back, hailing Crookes' debut a succesful one.

He said: "He's (Crookes) done fantastic today he really has.

"Connell was back in the team and they didn't even look like scoring. They had one chance in the first-half, and other than that they didn't look like scoring.

"It wasn't just them. We defend as a team and we attack as a team and I honestly believe that was a great team performance."