Antony Kay scored his first goal of the season to spark Vale’s comeback at the Globe Arena on Saturday afternoon, with a 2-2 draw against Morecambe sealing a point in Sky Bet League Two.

In difficult conditions, the Valiants then endured a manic few minutes as Tom Pope salvaged an equaliser before Scott Brown saved an A-Jay Leitch-Smith penalty just seconds later.

The draw lifts Neil Aspin’s men to 15th in the division, but Kay admits that he and his teammates got very fortunate. As a result, he wants to see improvements next time out.

He said: “It was a crazy game to play in. In the first half we let ourselves down and in the second half we didn’t play as well as we should’ve done, so we’re lucky to come away with a point at the end of it.

“At half-time we would’ve definitely taken a point, but the weather was awful and we didn’t play to the conditions today, so that was a major factor too.

“We went in at the break and players had a lot to say, getting on at each other and having discussion. The gaffer came in and hammered us, deservedly so, and we needed a reaction.

“That’s what the manager wanted from us, so to get a draw was good and we can just look forward now.”

After giving away the penalty that could’ve won the game for Morecambe late on, Scott Brown proved to be the hero as he kept out the resulting spot kick, and Kay was full of praise for the Vale goalkeeper. 

The veteran midfielder also expressed how important the more experienced professionals can be, and he insists Vale will learn from certain aspects of the performance on Saturday.

He said: “Browny has been class all season and he is what he is, that’s why the gaffer got him in here,” he said.

“He’s Mr Consistent and you know what you’re getting from him week in, week out. He gets let off by giving away the penalty and then saving it, but we have to concentrate now.

“There’s a lot of negatives to come from the game, but we have come back from two goals down to get two points, so it works both ways.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are, I’m 36 and I’m still learning. You have to take things on the chin, and if you don’t, you’ll have problems all of the time.

“We’ve got a lot of experienced players mixed in with the younger lads, but there’s a good blend and everyone comes up with ideas. I’m one of those players who gives everything they’ve got in training.

“I’m always telling the gaffer that I’m available, but you can train as much as you want, the results come on the pitch. 

“Even if you play every week, you’re only as good as your last performance. We’ll work hard all week ahead of the Cheltenham game.”