Stockport win a highlight of tough season - Brady

Port Vale's spirited win against play-off chasing Stockport County was one of the most pleasing performances in a season that has left some "scars", says boss Jon Brady.

Vale's relegation back to League Two was confirmed after their defeat by Cardiff a week ago but they showed their determination to go out on a high with an excellent 2-1 win at Edgeley Park on Tuesday.

Victory moved the Valiants up a place to 22nd in League One, one place above Rotherham, who will join them in the fourth tier next season.

First-half strikes from Everton loanee Martin Sherif and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel put Port Vale on their way and only a goal from Odin Bailey six minutes from time denied them a clean sheet.

"We beat Bolton at home, who were third in the league [at the time], but to come away from home and play like that against a team that is blowing a lot of teams away recently is really pleasing," Brady told BBC Radio Stoke.

"A little bit too late, obviously, that's the one regret, but it's nice to see that they can take away some belief from that as well.

"The results overall haven't been what we wanted but you see finally some real improvement in some individuals as well and some that have come on loan. I hope they go on and do well and the ones that stay with us, I hope now they continue to improve and come out their shell."

• Stockport miss chance to seal play-off place with loss
• 'Heart-breaking Port Vale need reset' - boss Brady
• Relegation hard to take but Vale will learn - Brady

Vale host champions Lincoln City in the final game of the regular season on Saturday as they close a difficult season in which the club have struggled against relegation throughout.

Following Brady's arrival in January, Vale embarked on a memorable run to the last eight of the FA Cup, beating Premier League Sunderland on the way, before losing at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea.

Brady said he hoped their win over Stockport would build real positivity for the season sign-off against the Imps.

"Everyone's been through a tough time. We've lived and breathed it since we've come in and we've got the scars for it as well," he said.

"But we have had some moments - our quarter-final of the FA Cup, I think it's something to be really proud of.

"I know people look at it [beating Stockport] and go 'so what?' But we popped above Rotherham and if we can go and have a positive result on Saturday, who knows, we can hold that position.

"It's about finishing the season positively. I think Lincoln are bringing 3,000 on Saturday and it'd be lovely to see everyone there."