Manager Darrell Clarke had praise for the team’s defensive work and the travelling away fans after Port Vale secured their first win of the season.
The Valiants upset early leaders Forest Green Rovers 2-0 thanks to early strikes from striker Jamie Proctor but it was the defensive display that impressed Clarke.
They deserve all the plaudits and I thought the supporters who backed us in their numbers were absolutely outstanding in getting behind the lads…
He told the media: “It is a really defensively-structured performance against a team that has been scoring a lot of goals. I knew we had to be very good without the ball but I thought we would cause them problems at the other end and that seemed to be the case. But, to a man, defensively excellent.
“They deserve all the plaudits and I thought the supporters who backed us in their numbers were absolutely outstanding in getting behind the lads.”
“I thought we were a little bit sloppy in possession in the first half but, in the second, we were a lot better and the keeper has pulled of a couple of fantastic saves to keep the score to two.”
Clarke also had praise for the forwards including two-goal Jamie Proctor adding: “He did tremendously but (James) Wilson has had a fantastic game again hasn’t he? “He has been absolutely outstanding leading the line with Proctor as well.
“But I believe goals will come throughout the team. But it is so early days, we just have to focus and try to use this as a springboard. It is unbeaten in four games now – and it sounds better with a win on the end of it.”
A really pleasing result. With the right team selection as on Saturday Vale look as though they are capable of some good results. We should try to keep the same eleven together so that they can get use to playing together and if this last result is anything to go by we will have lots to look forward to.