Saturday’s Chris Dagnall match winner could not hide his delight after his headed goal gave us three away points at our neighbours Port Vale.

Dagnall converted a George Cooper cross on the half an hour mark to continue our unbeaten start to the new season in the EFL Two and the captain praised his team-mates for making sure we got the job done in a hostile atmosphere.

Chris told the club’s official web-site: “To win the first derby game of the season is very pleasing. To go to Vale Park, in what we knew was going to be a tough game and to come away with a 1-0 win makes it a very good start to the season.

“It is never easy playing against 10 men and in a way it made them more effective. They went direct to Popey, who I thought was very good on the day. We struggled at times to contain him but we got that clean-sheet and all the lads were over the moon with the result in the dressing room.

“The fans were fantastic. We knew before the kick-off that they were going to create a good atmosphere and get behind us and that is what they did. We knew it was a big game, so we can more confidence from it.

“The young lads are find their feet and are beginning to dominate games. They are learning about the other side of the game and they are showing a lot of character. The games are coming thick and fast and we just have to carry on with what we are doing.”