Jim Gannon's side host League Two strugglers Barnet on Tuesday

Port Vale manager Jim Gannon has confirmed he substituted Rob Taylor in the 1-0 defeat against Cheltenham on Saturday because of a calf injury.

Sections of the Vale Park crowd booed as the winger was replaced by new loan signing Kayleden Brown on 76 minutes.

Gannon told BBC Radio Stoke: "He indicated that his calves were stiff.

"Sometimes people watching don't always know what's going on. It wasn't a tactical change and it wasn't one I was intending to make."

Gannon continued: "He was a real handful for them and he really created a lot of opportunities. He was one of our best players on the day.

We warned the lad about the threat of getting their pace in behind. That's a weakness in the team that's been exposed Jim Gannon

"I was a bit worried that he'd actually torn his calf but he said they were both cramped up and he didn't feel he could get at a player so I made the change."

Jeff Goulding scored the only goal of the game as Cheltenham condemned Vale to a third defeat in three matches since Gannon took charge at Vale Park.

Vale defender Gareth Owen was sent off towards the end of the first half and Gannon had no complaints about the decision.

"The striker was clean through on goal and it's a foul to deny a scoring opportunity," added the former Stockport boss.

"We warned the lad about the threat of getting their pace in behind. That's a weakness in the team that's been exposed and it's given them the opportunity to take all three points."

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