Port Vale manager Darren Moore praised his team for overcoming “another hurdle” after they extended their unbeaten run in League Two to eight matches with a 2-1 win over fellow promotion-chasers Salford.
Antwoine Hackford and Rekeem Harper scored either side of the break to move Vale to within two points of the automatic promotion places.
Hakeeb Adelakun’s penalty gave Salford hope of a late comeback, but they were unable to find an equaliser.
And despite feeling that his side could have made things more comfortable for themselves, Moore was delighted with the final outcome.
“Concentration levels had to be spot on and it was a valuable three points,” he said.
“We came here to get three points and we’ve got three points against a dangerous opponent – they didn’t make it easy for us at all.
“But it’s another hurdle which I’m really pleased that the group found a way to overcome and get the three points.”
Valiants winger Ronan Curtis was shown a red card following an altercation after the final whistle, but it is unclear exactly what occurred at this stage.
“The footage that I can see is blurred,” Moore said.
“But speaking to the referee after the game – I managed to get him on the pitch – he just said ‘Darren, there was an altercation with Ronan and another Salford player’ and he had no option but to brandish Ronan the red card.”
Boss Karl Robinson was extremely proud of his team’s efforts amid a growing injury list and an illness that swept through the camp during the week leading up to the match.
“You’re coming away to a team here who are one of the most resourced teams in the league, with a tremendous fanbase and a lot of history behind it,” he said.
“And to show a level of determination that we did, through all adversity, was a tremendous testament to my players.”
He added: “It’s not only the injuries and illnesses that we’ve had this week, but then individual errors that lead to the opposition’s opportunities to score.
“And from my point of view, all I can ask for is the players’ attitude.
“But you know something about this game, it doesn’t half come back, it really does.
“I’m a big believer in being a good person, I’m a big believer in digging deep through adversity, I’m a big believer in turning your own luck around.
“And when I come and speak about the injuries that we have, it’s only because they’re factual – it’s not an opinion.”
