Salford draw feels like a loss, says Port Vale boss Askey

Posted Sunday, August 18, 2019 by PA

Port Vale manager John Askey was disappointed after his side conceded an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time to draw 1-1 with Salford at the Peninsula Stadium.

Vale thought they had won it in the 82nd minute when substitute Richie Bennett fired home.

But Jake Beesley, who had also come off the bench minutes earlier, struck in added time to salvage a point for the home side.

Askey said: “It feels like a loss at the moment, conceding right at the death.

“We had chances when we were 1-0 up to go and win it, but I am just disappointed for the players and the supporters because I thought we did enough to win.

“It was a little bit of luck.

“Cristian Montano had one in the first minute and then in the second half he had one that hit someone on the line.

“I wish I was saying we’d won three or four because we had enough chances to do so.”

Vale came close to taking the lead in the opening stages when David Amoo’s ball reached Montano, but he was denied by the feet of Salford goalkeeper Chris Neal.

Salford almost broke the deadlock on the quarter-hour when Danny Whitehead’s short pass found Richie Towell and he sent a dipping volley inches over the crossbar.

Vale had three opportunities to go in front in the second half.

Neal made a superb save to keep out Tom Pope’s downward header, Tom Conlon’s effort was blocked in the box and then ex-Vale stopper Neal kept out Montano’s close-range shot.

They finally managed to find the back of the net when Bennett received the ball from David Worrall and fired home his first Vale goal.

But Salford levelled matters nine minutes later when Beesley headed in Tom Walker’s cross.

Salford manager Graham Alexander said: “We had good spells over the course of the game, but we have to make those spells longer in future games.

“We gave a good account of ourselves, especially in the first half, but then we became a bit open and gung-ho and lacked care in possession, which hurt us at times.

“We have to learn quickly about this level and how competitive it is and we we need our performances to be more consistent.”