Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke feels that his side were unlucky to not come away from the Salford City game with at least a point after a Tom Elliott strike proved to be enough to see them earn a 1-0 victory at Vale Park.

The Valiants were dominant throughout the majority of the game with 62% of the possession and accumulating 17 shots on goal.

However, they failed to trouble Tom King on too many occasions and their inability to read the run of Elliott in the 50th minute is ultimately what cost them the result.

Clarke on harsh result

After the game, Clarke said that based on the balance of play his team didn't deserve to come out of it with no further points on the board.

"I think we are very unfortunate to get nothing out of the game if I am honest. We needed a little bit of better play in the final third but we dominated a lot of the game and were on the front foot.

"We were a little bit sloppy in our decision making and we don't get a stonewall penalty at the end. It is one of those nights.

"I am disappointed that we didn't defend the second phase but we did not really have to defend a lot all game. 

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"But we have not got the result and it is a results business and we are not on the end of the right one tonight.”

He added: "Some of our final third play where we can take shots, be more clinical, better cross, better finish, better movement. All those bits and pieces that were needed to be able to create more chances.”

Clarke's view on halfway point of the season

Last night's game marked the halfway stage of Vale's league campaign with them sitting ninth in the table on 35 points, only three points adrift of the play-off places.

However, Clarke believes that on reflection his side deserves to have earned a few more points than what they currently have.

"We are going through a bit of a stage at the minute where we have had a long spell without league games and now they are coming thick and fast. 

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"We will get our rhythm, we will ride this little bit of a storm that we are in, not a problem.

"We will do plenty of work on the training pitch, plenty of work with the mental side of the game and making sure we are switched on and focused ready for another game.

"We are only halfway through the season, 35 points. A bit disappointed we aren't on a few more, I thought we deserved a few more.

"But it is about moving forward from here and we will do so in a positive way."

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