Port Vale: Adams focuses on play-offs after FA Cup exit

by Steve Shaw

MICKY Adams has challenged his Port Vale side to mount an assault on the League Two play-offs after watching their FA Cup dreams turned to dust.

"The aim now is to pick up league points leading up to the Christmas period to help us push up the table," said the Vale boss after his side lost 1-0 to League One Huddersfield Town in a second-round tie at Vale Park on Saturday.

Vale are 14th in League Two, six points adrift of the top-seven play-off zone ahead of tomorrow's trip to Lincoln City (7.45pm).

And Adams added: "There's nothing I've seen that should make us fearful in this league.

"We've competed against two League One sides and three Championship sides in the cups this season, so if we get our act together we'll be okay.

"We'll lick our wounds over the Huddersfield defeat, but we'll get on with it because it's about the bread and butter of league football now."

Vale were knocked out at the third-round stage of the Carling Cup by Scunthorpe. having previously despatched fellow Championship sides Sheffield United and their city rivals Wednesday.

And their Johnstone's Paint Trophy campaign ended in penalties heartbreak at Bradford City on November 10. after progressing to the northern area quarter-final with a 3-1 success over League One side Stockport.

Vale's six-game December programme, including tomorrow's clash at 21st-placed Lincoln, also includes winnable encounters with 18th-placed Northampton and second-from bottom Grimsby.

They will also take on mid-table sides Morecambe and Burton and promotion-chasing Chesterfield.

Striker Marc Richards said: "This month won't make or break us, but it could definitely give us a big boost." if we can get some good results.

"If we can get a result tomorrow and then a couple more wins it will bump us up the league and give us confidence to move forward."

Meanwhile, defender Gareth Owen underwent surgery on his broken cheek bone on Friday.

The 27-year-old is expected to be sidelined for three weeks.

Adams said: "Gareth's operation went better than expected and they didn't have to put a plate in his cheek."