Tyrone Barnett believes Vale were unfortunate not to get anything out of Tuesday's clash with promotion-chasing Exeter City, with the defeat at Vale Park bringing an end to an eight-game unbeaten home run in Sky Bet League Two.
The striker played the full game and he almost found the net on a few occasions, twice being denied by superb reaction saves from Exeter goalkeeper, Christy Pym.
Vale also had two efforts cleared off the line during a frustrating evening, but Barnett insists there are plenty of positives to take into the trip to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
He said: "It's very disappointing not to get anything from the game, but I think we deserved to win. We've dominated a very good team and we were unlucky not to get something today.
"Their 'keeper has done well today and they have defended very well to hold onto the 1-0, but we should have scored three or four, maybe even five on another day.
"It would've been good to score and get something out of the game, to get a point or three like I think we deserved.
"We will go into the next game feeling positive because we have played well against a good side and we will build on that for saturday - hopefully we can get the three points we are dying for."
With Tom Pope, Vale's leading goal scorer, still sidelined with an injury, Neil Aspin opted to go with a front two of Barnett and Anton Forrester against the Grecians.
The pair both had chances throughout the game and Barnett thinks they were unfortunate not to find the net, but he was happy to get 90 minutes into his legs ahead of the final run of fixtures.
"I think we played well and we created a lot of chances in the first and second half, and on another day, we maybe get a couple of goals each and it's job done," he said.
"It was a tough start to the season for me, but I've been working hard every day in the gym and in training so I was pleased to get the full match today.
"I only really felt it towards the last ten minutes or so, but it's good for my body to get 90 minutes and hopefully I will be ready to go again for the next game.
"We have a very big squad and the players need to keep sharp. The gaffer has got a good selection to choose from and hopefully he picks the best team.
"Wycombe are a strong side and they have hit a bit of form now, but if we play something like we have in the last few games, we can compete with them no problem and I think we can get a result there."