Can Vale transfer their cup form to league points?

VALE are into tonight's FA Cup third round draw after Ben Waine’s strike earned a 1-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers.

- Michael Baggaley

That continued a good week for the Vale, who have made the most of their break from the league to hammer Barnsley 5-0 in the Vertu Trophy and then see off Rovers with a deserved victory.

The key now will be carrying momentum into their league campaign, which resumes at home to Bradford tomorrow.

Darren Moore said: “We had moments in the game again and probably could have been more goals to the good. But the way the boys focused meant any Bristol Rovers’ shots on target were from long distance and taken under pressure with a Vale shirt in front of them.

“All round, a good performance and I am really pleased for the players.

We have taken the cup competitions really seriously this year and they have been good for us.”

As for Ben Waine's winner, the manager said: “He steadied himself and had composure and it was great to see him score.

“It settled us down and I really fancied us to get the second goal. Bristol Rovers changed shape and left more gaps and space at the back, so I threw on Mo (Faal) and Dajaune (Brown) just to keep us on the front foot.

“It never did come but the most important thing as well was keeping the clean sheet.”

Rovers manager Darrell Clarke must now turn his attention to their League Two campaign after eight successive league defeats left them fourth from bottom.