Richards recently spent six weeks out of action with a thigh injury

Port Vale manager Jim Gannon has praised captain Marc Richards for coolly converting the late penalty to secure a 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "There was a little bit of gamesmanship with them making the substitution at that stage.

"Marc's a strong-minded player, it's great for him to put that away in front of our fans and send them home happy."

Richards gave Vale the lead in the first half and held his nerve to equalise with seven minutes to go.

The striker now has 17 goals for the season, a tally that could have been higher if he had not spent six weeks out with a thigh injury at the start of Gannon's reign at Vale Park.

"If he hadn't missed the games he had, he would be amongst the best in the league," added Gannon.

"I think he's determined to catch up and two goals will certainly whet his appetite to finish the season strongly."

Vale have lost just one of their last eight matches and remain sixth in League Two, although results elsewhere mean they are now five points away from an automatic promotion spot.

Meanwhile, the club are expected to announce the outcome of their investigation into the argument between Gannon and assistant manager Geoff Horsfield.

Both men left the team coach after a bust-up during the journey to Aldershot on 25 February.

Gannon said: "It seems to be dragging on but it's not affecting us, we're just getting on with it.

"The lads have come here, put in another professional display and credit to the staff and the players for keeping that run going."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version