Dean Saunders: We played well at Port Vale after silly slip-up

He said: “We scored three goals away from home so if you do that you deserve to win.

“It’s a frustrating job being a football manager. We played well all the way through the first half and then eventually right on half-time we conceded the worst goal we’ve ever conceded from a throw-in and that was soul-destroying.

“So I had a go at them at half-time. Second half we came out and played really, really well.”

Saunders has set a target of getting another three more wins from their remaining nine games to keep Reds in League One.

Saunders said: “Mathematically you shouldn’t get relegated of you’ve got 50 points, we have 40 points so we need three more wins.”

He stressed this weekend’s home game will be another difficult one.

He said: “We have a tough game on Saturday as Leyton Orient have some good players. They just haven’t got it together. I’ve been watching them all season and just hope they don’t get it together when they play us!”

Saunders also praised the fans for their wonderful support at Port Vale which came hot on the heels of last weekend’s trip to Colchester.

He said: “It’s expensive travelling all that way and they sung throughout the match.

“Well done to all of them for supporting us and that’s another win we’ve got them and three goals!”