Gareth Owen captained Stockport to promotion in 2008

Port Vale defender Gareth Owen says their 2-1 defeat at Oxford could be the reality check his side need.

Vale saw their lead at the top of League Two cut to three points after a first away defeat of the season.

"We didn't get too high when we were winning and we won't get too deflated when we lose," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It was probably the kick up the backside we needed and we'll come out this week, take our medicine, work hard and try and put things right."

Owen, 28, captained Stockport to promotion in 2008, and the defender was quick to point out that all teams who go on to achieve success, suffer set-backs during the season.

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"You'll go through a season losing games and we'll work hard in training this week," Owen added.

"We've got a game on Tuesday [against Carlisle] in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to put things right.

"Then we'll be working hard on Thursday and Friday before the league game against Hereford."

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