Anthony Griffith was Port Vale's player of the year for the 2009/10 season

Port Vale have already made progress under the temporary management team of Mark Grew and Geoff Horsfield, according to Anthony Griffith.

Vale performed well in a 0-0 draw against Bury on Saturday, their second game since the departure of Jim Gannon.

"It felt like we had that spirit like we had at the beginning of the season," the midfielder told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We were fearless of the opposition. Fair play to Geoff and 'Grewy', they're doing the right stuff."

Gannon left Vale Park on 21 March after only 74 days as manager.

Vale had led League Two for most of the early part of the campaign before Micky Adams departed for Sheffield United in December and were still on the fringes of the automatic promotion places at the time of Gannon's arrival.

However, they took just 16 points from their 14 league games under the former Stockport and Peterborough boss and they now find themselves ninth in League Two, two points outside the play-off places.

Griffith continued: "Geoff and 'Grewy' were here when Micky Adams was here and I bet it was painful for them seeing what was happening to us.

"Now they've got their foot in the door, hopefully they can get us back on track."

Vale produced an encouraging performance against the Shakers, hitting the woodwork three times and creating a number of other opportunities, but they were unable to collect all three points.

Meanwhile, striker Tom Pope has told BBC Radio Stoke of his pleasure at extending his loan spell from Rotherham for another month.

Pope, 25, has scored three times in 11 appearances for Vale since joining in January.

"I haven't hidden the fact that I wanted to stay," said the former Crewe forward. "I'm really enjoying it, I've got a smile back on my face.

"I've just got to try and help the lads as best as I can to get them into the play-offs. It would be a shame to not even make the play-offs.

"Our aim is still the top three. That's still not out of sight, but we should at least be making the play-offs for how well we've done this season."

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