Moving off the bottom a motivator for Vale - Gauci

Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci says moving off the bottom of League One has given them a psychological boost in their battle to avoid relegation.

Gauci played a key role in securing a point in Tuesday's goalless draw against Barnsley, saving a second-half penalty as Vale went above Northampton Town into 23rd place.

It was the first time Vale have not been bottom since losing to Plymouth on 22 November.

But their position remain perilous with the gap to safety 15 points with a maximum of 18 points available.

Nevertheless, Gauci told BBC Radio Stoke not being at the bottom gives them something to hold on to.

"I think it gives us a lot of motivation," he said.

"Everyone's spoken about the schedule of this back end of the season and these last three weeks are probably the busiest period of the year.

"I'm extremely motivated and want to do well. We're all competitive. We all want to win football games.

"One day at a time and we just keep focusing on the team above us and working on catching them.

"It's a great motivator and will drive us forward for these last two and a half, three weeks."

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Vale's FA Cup success has contributed to fixture congestion that has resulted in them playing eight times in April before the final game of the season on 2 May.

They play the second of four matches in nine days at Peterborough on Thursday where defeat would put them on the brink of an immediate return to League Two.

Gauci, on loan from Aston Villa, has made 28 appearances for Vale after first replacing Marco Marosi five games into the season.

Despite their struggles, the 25-year-old Australian said competing for regular action has been good for him.

"That's why I wanted to come here to challenge and to get minutes under my belt and to help the team and help the club," said Gauci.

"It's the same for every player. People are really quick to tell me, 'you've got a lot of time on your side', but I don't really see myself as that young. I want to be playing well and playing consistently."