Both managers bemoan lack of cutting edge as Port Vale and Newport draw blank

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2018 by PA

Port Vale manager Neil Aspin felt his side did not do enough to open up Newport as the sides played out a goalless draw at Vale Park in Sky Bet League Two.

The struggling Valiants are now nine league games without a win and other results went against Aspin’s side with Chesterfield, Barnet, Crewe and Morecambe all winning.

A heroic double save in the second half from goalkeeper Ryan Boot kept Vale in the game, but despite this Aspin said it was a “poor game quality-wise”.

He added: “I’m not here to make excuses.

“I thought we started quite well but didn’t do enough in terms of making chances or in the last third to open up Newport.

“We were always vulnerable off their long throws where they fashioned most of their chances.

“I knew this day would come where all of the other teams won. You can’t keep relying on what other teams are doing; you have to get points yourself.”

Aspin “feels” for the fans during what has been a difficult season for Vale.

He said: “It is difficult for the supporters because at the end of the day you’re not better than the opposition and players are anxious as well because they know what’s at stake.

“You can feel the tension and anxiety but unfortunately that’s what it’s like in a relegation battle.

“It’s very difficult for the fans. It’s been a desperate season, they’ve had nothing to cheer, it hasn’t been good enough.”

Newport manager Mike Flynn thought his side controlled the majority of the game.

His side have now gone five league and cup games without scoring, but Flynn refused to point the finger at any of his players.

He said: “We had enough clear chances to win two games. It’s what has cost us throughout the season – not killing teams off.

“We’ve come away with another clean sheet and dominated a game away from home, we just needed to score.

“If we would have scored today we would have won the game, so it’s frustrating we didn’t kill them off.”

Despite the draw, Flynn said there has been a “huge improvement” in the club over the season.

He added: “We have eight games at home now and four away. If you draw your matches away from home and win at home it will be an unbelievable run and we won’t be far off (the play offs).

“We’ve got the same points now with 12 games to go than what we finished with last season.

“We were in a great position but it’s faltered a bit but I think there has been a huge improvement throughout the club both on and off the pitch.”