Against more experienced opposition Vale ultimately fell to a 3-0 defeat but manager Hugh Hamill still ruled the experience as a success.

He said: “Obviously we lost 3-0 but we didn’t disgrace ourselves.

“We were playing a top division team, gave them a good go and it was a great run out for the boys.

“I thought we did really well. The first two goals were our own doing but we remained competitive against what is a decent side.

“The whole experience was a good yard stick and a few of our boys showed they are not far off playing at that level as we weren’t far away.

“The result doesn’t reflect the effort the boys put in and I am happy with the all round performance from the lads.” Vale are currently sitting top of the table and with the league campaign drawing to a close Hamill has high hopes of holding onto a promotion spot.

Following three wins on the bounce the momentum is definitely with the Millburn Park side.

Hamill said: “The target is to win enough games to get promoted this season.

“There are currently 15 points to play for and we must get as many as we possibly can.

“The thing about this league is that the season is so short.

“I would say that in order to go up no team can lose any more than four games. We have already lost four so the remaining games are crucial to our season.”