Doug Loft's winner against Lincoln lifted Port Vale into the play-off places

Doug Loft has said he was relieved to score his first goal in over a year for Port Vale against Lincoln on Tuesday.

Loft opened his account for the season with a stunning 25-yard shot to secure a 2-1 win at Vale Park.

"I've had enough shots this season so it was nice to see one of them go in," the 24-year-old told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I think [right-back] Adam Yates had run about 70 yards and he was a bit upset that I didn't pass him the ball, but it was nice for it to go in."

The last time Loft scored was in the 3-1 defeat by Northampton on 6 March 2010.

He has netted just four times in 69 games for Vale since joining the club on a free transfer from Brighton in the summer of 2009.

Vale returned to the play-off places in League Two after a two-week absence following their victory over the Imps.

Loft is confident that caretaker manager Mark Grew and assistant Geoff Horsfield can lead the Valiants to promotion after achieving their first win in charge.

"It's a different atmosphere around the place now," said Loft. "Everyone's in it to achieve the same thing and I think we've got a good enough squad here to go up automatically.

"Hopefully we can win a few more and get back into those places where we belong."

Vale face leaders Chesterfield on Saturday, with defender Gareth Owen doubtful because of a hamstring problem.

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