Port Vale manager Jim Gannon praises loanee Tom Pope

Pope missed a penalty in the 1-1 draw at Wycombe on 5 February

Port Vale manager Jim Gannon was "really pleased" with the performance of on-loan striker Tom Pope in the 1-1 draw against Northampton on Saturday.

Pope was making his first start since joining Vale from Rotherham and won a second-half penalty, which Justin Richards converted to open the scoring.

Gannon told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm really pleased with him.

"He's shown what he's about and with that appetite, ability and application, he'll be a great addition."

Pope had made two appearances as a substitute for Vale, the club he has supported since childhood, before starting for the first time on Saturday.

"To be honest, I was quite nervous when I got up and all morning," the former Crewe striker told BBC Radio Stoke. "But as soon as I got to the ground the nerves stopped.

"I don't think I've played 90 minutes in the first team for about three months. I found it tough but I felt I did alright."

Northampton equalised soon after Richards' 11th goal of the season through Leon McKenzie and held on for a point despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half following the dismissal of Abdul Osman.