John Askey praises Port Vale after comeback victory over Carlisle

Posted Sunday, November 17, 2019 by PA

Port Vale manager John Askey was delighted with his side after they came from behind to beat Carlisle 2-1 at Vale Park.

Ryan Loft had given the visitors the lead after just 20 seconds in their first game since sacking manager Steven Pressley on Tuesday.

But Vale, who move up to eighth in Sky Bet League Two, scored two second-half goals through David Worrall and substitute Mark Cullen as they remain unbeaten at home in the league.

Askey said: “It was a sloppy start and you are always going to be up against it conceding so early, but we missed numerous chances in the first half.

“The thing we have now is we have people on the bench who can change a game, we have probably not had that before and that made the difference.

“You just can’t start like that.

“I have watched the goal and, if somebody switches off, then it doesn’t matter how much you do in training.

“If someone switches off in the first seconds then it can cost you and it did.

“You just hoped it wasn’t going to be one of those days where everyone gets frustrated.

“But full credit to the players again, they have worked hard and we now go into December undefeated at home.

“That takes some doing so I am really pleased for them.

Loft put Carlisle in front when he met Gethin Jones’ ball and tapped it past goalkeeper Scott Brown.

At the other end, Jake Taylor’s 25-yard effort cannoned off the woodwork and Carlisle goalkeeper Adam Collin made a stunning close-range save to keep out Ritchie Bennett.

The Valiants equalised on the hour when Worrall met James Gibbons’ pass and poked the ball home.

And the hosts won it 13 minutes later when Carlisle defender Byron Webster sliced Gibbons’ ball into the box and Cullen, a former Carlisle striker, was there to divert it home to score his third goal in two games.

Carlisle caretaker boss Gavin Skelton said: “The fans were right behind us and clapped us off, which is a true reflection of the way we played.

“I’m just disappointed that our good play and commitment didn’t turn into points because I thought we were good today and it is just those finer things that we really need to work on.

“Coming up to their winning goal, we were going for the game ourselves and maybe didn’t take the opportunity to double up.

“Their first goal, we made one or two mistakes in the build up to it and then we made three or four for their second one, which was frustrating.

“The league table doesn’t lie and it is what it is – we are in for a battle.

“It is alright talking about all the good things we are doing, but we really have to turn them into points.”