Darren Moore praised match winner Jayden Stockley after the striker netted a late header as Port Vale rebooted their League Two promotion push with a 1-0 victory at local rivals Crewe.
Stockley headed a far-post finish in the 86th minute to sink the Railwaymen, who provided the greater threat for more than an hour of the game.
Moore’s men moved up a gear in the closing stages and after Rico Richards and Ryan Croasdale spurned chances, Stockley made it count as he netted his ninth goal of the campaign.
“If you want the ball to fall to anyone in the box, it’s Jayden,” said Vale boss Moore. “He was right on the spot to finish that one and then it was a matter of keeping it tight and giving nothing away.
“It was a really tight game, but we managed to get the all-important goal. Both teams were looking for that one opportunity and it fell our way.
“We have seen the qualities that Ben Amos brings to the team. He has a steady calming influence and he deserved his clean sheet with some great saves.
“It was a cagey game right the way through, a typical local Derby that I’d really been looking forward to. I thought our away fans were tremendous today and we could hear them in the dressing room before the game – they spurred the boys on.
“Everyone played their part and I thought we were strong and powerful in midfield, while we had a bit of creativity too. It’s an area that Crewe can be dominant in, but we nullified them there.”
Crewe carved out the better chances in a competitive first-half with Vale goalkeeper Amos saving at the feet of Chris Long and keeping out Max Conway’s follow-up.
The restult means the hosts’ poor run continues, with three draws and two defeats in the last five leaving them four points outside the top seven.
Alex boss Lee Bell admitted: “It’s really disappointing for everybody and the players are on their knees. Our fans were magnificent during the game, so it’s a tough one to take.
“I told the players that we’re not going to stop believing. I know it’s disappointing and if some people have stopped believing four or five games ago that’s up to them, but we’ll keep on believing.
“We need something to drop kindly in the box, but I thought Chris Long and Kane Hemmings were excellent today and Jack Lankester is back so we’ve got some real quality up there.
“It was just that one moment that cost us. A goal kick, a throw and then two touches later it’s in the back of the net.
“Port Vale have experienced players and they found a way to win the game. They were a threat from set plays, but we needed to take the opportunities we had in the first half.”
