Port Vale boss Darren Moore blamed the gale-force winds for his side’s goalless draw with Northampton.
It was a game devoid of real quality on an extremely blustery afternoon at Vale Park.
Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci pulled off some brilliant saves while Ross Fitzsimons kept out Ruari Paton deep into stoppage time to ensure a draw.
“The conditions were tough for both teams,” admitted Moore.
“I think that was clear to see. The positives from the game is we stood firm and we were resolute.
“When I walked on at the end between the two sets of players, all they spoke about were the conditions. They were the worst conditions I’ve experienced.
“Ninety percent of this game was controlled and dictated by the weather. Swirling winds, one of the worst conditions for any sport other than sailing is wind and we had that in abundance.
“It wasn’t easy for my players out there. We showed another side of our game by battling and fighting.
“They asked questions of us in terms of where they keep putting their balls into and we stood up to that.
“You’re looking for one moment and it came at the end. You would have wanted it to fall to that person but when I looked at it back the keeper’s taken an unbelievable gamble and it’s paid off for him and it’s won them a point.
“We take the positives. We kept a clean sheet and we turn the page and move on.”
The Cobblers picked up their sixth clean sheet from their first 10 league games.
Boss Kevin Nolan, whose side have lost just one of their last six, said: “I’m satisfied with a point.
“It could have gone either way at the end. Ross has made a great save at the end but we had some really great chances earlier on in the game.
“It was a heart-in-the-mouth moment at the end there.
“A point, another clean sheet, it just shows the hard work the lads are putting in is coming off and we’re getting those rewards.
“You’ve got to build your foundations with clean sheets.
“I tell the boys you aren’t given much in football but you are given a point and a clean sheet at the start of the game and if you can walk off with it at the end then you’ll always have me pleased and smiling.
“I want to keep pushing these lads. We’ve got a group which I’m confident can perform and do well.
“I’m pleased with the first 10 games. I think we could have a couple more points in the bag. We’ve got to look at the next 10 and try to improve on that.”
