Ten-man Port Vale dug in for an impressive 2-0 win against Hereford United on Saturday afternoon - and boss Micky Adams thought it was just rewards for an industrious performance.
Lewis Haldane was sent off before the break for the Valiants after two yellow cards, which the manager admits didn't help his team.
"We are delighted with it in the context of the game and everything that has happened. It's a fantastic result for us," said Micky.
"I think it was a sending off that could have been avoided - there is no two ways about that. I thought it was a penalty and that Lewis Haldane did get tripped in the box. I think he was harshly treated there. When the ball goes out of play, all he is trying to do is get it back in play but as I said to him, in his enthusiasm, he's managed to grab him around the face and neck. You can't do that these days. He's been a little bit silly there and in his enthusiasm, he's managed to put us in a bit of bother but having said that, the game in the first half should have been dead and buried anyway.
"When it was eleven v eleven, I felt there was only going to be one winner. Ten men obviously presents its own problems and we decided to stay nice and positive and leave two men up there but as the game wore on and Hereford wore us down a little bit, we changed the system."
A jaw-dropping run from Lee Collins saw him play in Marc Richards for his 14th of the season late in the day, a goal which the manager believes will be a contender for goal of the season.
"What a fantastic second goal. I don't think you will see a better goal that that this season. I think Lee is a remarkable athlete. I have a managed a lot of player in a lot of divisions and he's right up there in terms of fitness and the way he conducts himself in training.
"We have always been competitive and we don't short-change anybody. You have seen the conditions that we have to adapt to. There is a long way to go and it's a long season. There will be ups and downs but at the moment, we are on a run of form which is pleasing. We are defending with our lives at times and against Hereford he got we just rewards."
