Port Vale: Adams upbeat despite defeat

VALE boss Micky Adams insists he was proud of his side last night as they suffered Johnstone's Paint Trophy penalties heartbreak at Bradford City.

The Bantams progressed to the northern area semi-final with a 5-4 shoot-out success after the sides shared a 2-2 draw in normal time.

As Vale turn their attention to Saturday's league home clash against high-flying Rotherham, Adams, pictured below, said: "I said to the boys that we're talking about a couple of moments in the game that I'm really disappointed about.

"But it was a performance to be proud of.

"We went there and played some decent football and for long periods we took the game to Bradford.

"My job now is to dust them down and get them ready for a difficult game on Saturday.

"We've got some fantastic games to look forward to."

Vale took a first-half lead through John McCombe. However, the defender's strike was cancelled out by second-half headers from Michael Flynn and James Hanson, who took advantage of Vale's lacklustre defending at two set-pieces.

Attacker Rob Taylor forced the shoot-out when he drilled home an excellent 75th-minute equaliser.

"We're very disappointed to lose on penalties, but we got punished for a couple of players switching off at set-pieces," added Adams. "You can't do that, and we know they are a big side.

"They are a big powerful unit that attacks the ball in your box, but we still gave away silly free-kicks in dangerous areas.

"I've said it many times that corners and free kicks are a very important part of the game at this level and you've got to have a minimum of five six-footers in your team.

"If you don't, it's a problem for you."

Vale's defence was weakened just after the half-hour mark when influential centre-half Gareth Owen was forced to retreat with a cheek injury.

Adams admitted: "We lost Gareth Owen and didn't have enough to combat their aerial strength.

"We will get Gareth checked out this morning.

"He looked like he may have a fractured cheek bone, but it is too early to say.

"Gareth is one of our main markers, so if you lose him it's a problem."

Striker James Lawrie has been named in Northern Ireland's under-21 squad for their two forthcoming home Uefa Championship qualifiers.

Ireland will play Germany at The Oval, in Belfast, on Friday before they take on the Czech Republic at the Ballymena Showgrounds next Tuesday.

Match report: Pages 50 & 51