npower League 2

Port Vale 1 United 2

A delighted Bucks spoke after United's fine 2-1 victory away at Port Vale which keeps the Gulls on top of the npower League 2 table after four games: ''I was asked the question earlier this week if I would swap the clean sheet record for three points and I said yes. It's a strange feeling actually, to see our net bulging like that! It was great strike from their player and if the record was going to end then at least we were already in front and it was to a fantastic strike.

''Port Vale are a really good side with a very good manager and this is a tough place to come and we had to pay that some respect. I thought we started the game brilliantly and we deserved to be in front, we were in control and although they had a fair bit of the ball we picked them off. We had to be nice and solid at the back and to try and counter them, which we did, and we created the clear-cut chances.''

United's first goal came from skipper Nicky Wroe via the penalty spot and after last weekend's miss against Bradford it was important that Nicky bounced back: ''It's never easy when you have missed one to step up again but Nicky is our captain and he has lead by example by putting the ball on the spot and I was confident he was going to put that one away. Chris Zebroski had done ever so well to take the ball around the 'keeper but it was probably right that he was only shown a yellow card for bringing Zebs down.''

Both teams had goals disallowed and United's effort came from Elliot Benyon and it was a decision which wasn't clear to the United boss: ''There were a lot of strange decisions given today, there was a big crowd and maybe the officials were put under a bit of pressure but Elliot's goal didn't look offside to me. We caused them problems and we knew what was coming because we worked very hard in training this week on how Port Vale do things. If you don't match up and you are not physical with them they will bowl you over but we did that and we also have the quality going the other way.''

With Port Vale scoring in the 37^th minute United finally set a finishing mark of 998 minutes without conceding a league goal: ''I asked the players at half-time to put their drinks down and give themselves a round of applause because their efforts during this record run have deserved it. We then drew a line under it and went out for the second half as if it was still goalless and I think we were worthy winners.''