Owen began his career with Stoke before leaving to join Oldham in 2005

Defender Gareth Owen has said Port Vale's young squad is good enough to secure a play-off spot in League Two.

The Valiants defeated Grimsby Town 2-1 at Vale Park on Saturday, with 11 of the match-day squad of 15 players aged 23 or younger.

Owen, 26, told BBC Radio Stoke: "We're full of youthful exuberance and we need to channel that.

"If we can build experience then we will have the basis of a good side, but that all comes from hard work."

Former Stoke City centre-half Owen is currently on-loan at Vale Park from Stockport County with a view to a permanent move in January.

He was part of the County side that was promoted from League Two last season and said he knows how hard it will be repeat that achievement with Valiants.

"You have to churn results out week after week, it's not about performing in fits and starts," said Owen.

"We have to make sure we don't get carried away after winning on Saturday and work hard to try and go on a run of results."

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