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Veteran Brown stays evergreen

Image: Rob Page: Hailed Michael Brown's contribution

Port Vale boss Rob Page stressed the value of Michael Brown to his side following a 2-1 victory at fellow struggers Crawley.

Louis Dodds added Vale's second before half-time and Crawley striker Gavin Tomlin missed a penalty against his former club before substitute Conor Henderson scored a late goal for the home side. Brown has now notched five goals this season and Page said :"Michael has huge desire and enthusiasm. "He's proving he has still got that fire in his belly .He is a leader on the pitch and when it comes to having senior lads, characters like that help you as a manager." Page was delighted with the response given by his men following their 2-0 home defeat to Coventry, which he described as the worst display since he took over in September. The former Wales international added: "We wanted to show that last week was a blip in our development. "We've got tough games against Sheffield United and Swindon over Christmas and we must maintain this level of performance. "We will do what we can to get us a win at home to Sheffield United on Boxing Day. We want to make it as uncomfortable for them as we can." Crawley manager John Gregory admitted he felt his side had a "phobia" about playing at home after defeat left them with one win from their last 11 league games. The former Aston Villa boss said: "We seem to have a phobia about playing at home. "The players did OK in our recent away games at Oldham and Bristol City, but they have a phobia here. "They ought to try playing at Newcastle in front of 52,000. There's not that kind of crowd pressure here". Gregory admitted it was a "poor team performance" and that his men "possibly got what they deserved". He added :"Every week there's pressure on you. We have 46 cup finals. It comes with the job. "But if we can recreate the type of performances we are capable of we can climb up that table very quickly." Gregory will learn on Monday whether he has been successful in extending the loan of goalkeeper Lewis Price from Crystal Palace for another month.

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