Curtis is Valiants' late goal hero to secure reward on their travels

PORT Vale needed a last-gasp goal to secure a point from their trip to Cheltenham. CLIVE YOULTON continues his review of the Valiants' season...

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PORT Vale had become the team every other League Two outfit wanted to beat because, “they've spent more money than everyone else.”

It was a fair shout from Phil Bowers who was asked his opinion on BBC Radio Stoke about why the Valiants' method was working, as well as what their rivals would think looking in from the outside.

Vale had largely brushed aside all comers on their way to the summit at that point but had to settle for a draw against Crewe Alexandra.

Bowers said: “If you buy the best players you end up being top of the league. That's pretty much it.

“Let's make no bones about it, getting relegated hurt this club and it hurt it a lot. They prided themselves on being progressive. They prided themselves on doing things the right way and last year, all that unravelled. Through one reason or another it ended up being a relegation season.

"I think they were ashamed of that and I also think they felt they had made a lot of mistakes in doing that.”

Following relegation, there was a determination to put things right and Bowers insisted everyone connected with the club should thank owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan for that.

“From that point on [after relegation], it was clear that Darren Moore [manager] wanted to try and get in players that would get this club promoted,” added Bowers.