Marc Richards has scored 58 goals in just under four seasons with Port Vale

Port Vale striker Marc Richards admitted a weight had been lifted off his shoulders after scoring the 100th goal of his career against Lincoln.

Richards, 28, reached his century with the equaliser against the Imps, before Doug Loft completed a 2-1 victory.

"I've been telling people it wasn't [affecting me] but it was," the Vale skipper told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I had a vest made with '100 not out' on it. I've not worn it tonight, so it must have been my bad luck omen."

As well as completing his career century, Richards also reached the milestone of 50 league goals for Port Vale.

In all competitions, he has scored 58 goals in 159 appearances for the Valiants since joining from Barnsley in the summer of 2007.

The victory on Tuesday, Vale's first in six matches, lifts them back into the League Two play-off places.

"It was massive," added Richards. "I don't think it was too pretty from the sidelines, but it's all about getting three points at this time of the season and we'll take that in the next seven games."

Vale, who are now seventh and just three points behind the automatic promotion places, travel to League Two leaders Chesterfield on Saturday.

"It might be a bit more of an open game," said Richards, who scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory at Saltergate last season.

"We want the three points as much as them and I think we play better against the better teams."

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