Vale boss: 'It's a clean sheet and we turn the page and move on...'

PORT VALE stretched their unbeaten league run to four games as they battled to a goalless draw at home to Northampton in difficult conditions.

- Clive Youlton

The swirling wind didn’t help either team in a scrappy game in which chances were few and far between.

Cameron McGeehan forced a fine save from Joe Gauci before the break and the Cobblers also missed an opportunity through Nesta Guinness-Walker.

However, substitute Ruari Paton came desperately close to winning it for Vale when he was denied by keeper Ross Fitzsimons in stoppage time.

The point keeps Vale in 16th ahead of Tuesday’s trip to League Two Accrington in the Vertu Trophy and Saturday's league game at fifth-placed Wimbledon.

Darren Moore said: "They were really difficult conditions, as we could all see. The positives are we stood strong, were resolute, determined and focused against a difficult team.

“You can see why they are such a strong, resolute team. They don’t give much away and they ask questions of the opposition with where they consistently put the ball.

“I thought we did well in competing in our duels. You are looking for one moment, one opportunity. It came right at the end and you would have wanted it to fall to that person (Ruari Paton). When I look back at it, the keeper has taken an unbelievable gamble and it has paid off for him. It has won them a point.

“It’s a clean sheet and we turn the page and move on.”