Peter Cklamovski impressed with Salford spirit in win over Port Vale

Port Vale attacker Connor Hall headed a teasing free-kick from Kyle Dempsey against the crossbar as the visitors controlled proceedings and threatened to take the lead in the first half.

But the Valiants were made to rue their missed chances eight minutes after the break when Joe Powell’s tame free-kick squirmed through goalkeeper Jackson Smith.

After the match, Cklamovski was full of praise for the “character, commitment and conviction” shown by his players in their first home win of the season.

He said: “The win on Tuesday night against Newport and the one today were different, but we have shown character, commitment and conviction in getting the job done both times.

“Today was a bit of a grind and credit to our opponents because they disrupted our game in some ways, and they put everything into their own performance.

“We rolled up our sleeves and repelled them. We have kept a clean sheet, have three points and have areas we can recognise where we can keep growing our football.

“Today was not the perfect game for us and we would much rather play with a different style. But we showed the grit and character to stay strong, match their grit and character and win the match.

“We are doing it for everyone around Salford who believes in this club and wants success.

“Today was a day when you saw that grind in a performance that matches the integrity of the Salfordians and I’m proud of what the players have put in.

“I look at today in a positive way and take the three points. Now we have to keep building, stay humble and keep working hard.”

Port Vale manager Jon Brady felt his side were unfortunate to leave Salford’s AIG Stadium empty-handed after a strong first-half showing.

He said: “I am hugely disappointed. In the first half we were the one with the ascendancy, we had all the chances and reduced them to minimal efforts.

“Any efforts they had were straight at Jacko (Jackson Smith) and they were very rare.

“Then we concede a foul on the edge of the box, which, with the ability of Luke Molyneux and Joe Powell, is an opportunity.

“We need to have more discipline in our actions around the box as there was no need to go to ground. When we do have the free-kick, one player jumps out of the wall, it deflects off his toe and goes through my goalkeeper.

“It shouldn’t be a goal, but that’s where we are at the moment; it’s hugely frustrating.

“It is a real tough one to take because we’ve worked extremely hard in the game.

“I want to see us putting our chances away, not feel sorry for ourselves throughout the game and not give the opposition a leg up.”