A lot of positives – Darrell Clarke on Port Vale’s loss to Bolton in the FLT

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke felt there were plenty of things to be pleased about during Port Vale’s 3-2 defeat to League Two Bolton Wanderers in the Football League Trophy group stages.

The Valiants saw James Gibbons and captain Tom Conlon return to the starting line-up while Jake Taylor and new loan signing George Lloyd made appearances from the bench. There was also a goal for David Amoo in his new central striking position.

We have come to a team that got promoted last season, is a massive football club, with a talented squad, and we have done ourselves justice…

Speaking to the media after the match Clarke said: “There were a lot of positives, but we are frustrated we lost the game.

“It was important to get some injured players back out there. They put in a good shift, we made a lot of changes from Saturday but I thought it was a good game on the eye.

“We are disappointed with the goals we conceded but we have had some really good moments and played some terrific football.

“I don’t want to be too negative because we are disappointed we have lost the game. But we have come to a team that got promoted last season, is a massive football club, with a talented squad, and we have done ourselves justice. But still, I want to win football matches so I am disappointed.”