Stoke striker Lowe rubs salt into Vale's wounds as County win

PORT Vale’s hopes of bouncing back from their dismal defeat at Wigan hit the buffers when Stockport arrived at Vale Park.

- CLIVE YOULTON

GEORGE Byers was one of Port Vale’s under-performers in defeat at Wigan Athletic and admitted it was up to him and the players to bounce back.

The Valiants would have to wait nine days to attempt to do that, at home to Stockport County on a Monday night in front of the Sky TV cameras.

Breaking down 10 men had not proved easy for Vale and Byers told Port Vale TV: “We played Mansfield earlier in the season where we weren't able to break down that defence and I’m disappointed we weren't able to do it again.

“The gaffer brought three more strikers on to try a and get players in the box and get crosses in but it was a little bit of a lack of quality, myself included, and we just didn’t get that goal.”

Stating the obvious while talking about a 1-0 defeat he added: “I think if we had scored it would obviously change the game. But they scored a poor goal. We should do better and we shouldn't be conceding a goal like that [Ronan Curtis error].”

For the Stockport match ahead he said: “We love playing at home, we had fantastic backing from the away fans, and we are now looking forward to being back at home in front of our own supporters.”

They were destined not to enjoy it at all.

Going into the game, one defeat in six was by no means a disaster but Vale hadn't won in three and infuriatingly for fans, Darren Moore's team had only won once at home, scraping through against Mansfield Town thanks to a last-gasp penalty.