Chris Beech said he was pleased with the resilience Carlisle United showed under pressure at Port Vale.

The Blues earned a 0-0 draw on the road to extend their unbeaten start to the League Two season.

Beech conceded his team did not produce the killer moment that could have earned three points at Vale Park.

But he was satisfied with the dogged defending the Cumbrians produced.

“It’s great to see we’re competitive,” the head coach said.

“It was a completely different sort of game to Swindon. I actually enjoyed this one more than Saturday [even though we won at Swindon].

“I think Port Vale tried their best to put it on us physically – back to front football at times, big balls into the box, long throws that are longer than Joe Riley’s, but the lads stood strong, said, ‘You’re not getting your goal today’.

“I’m really pleased about them saying that to their opponent.

“In terms of chances created, we didn’t half create some great ones in the first half, and the keeper made a good save from George Tanner early doors.

“We were in clear and often on the outside shoulder of the centre-half but didn’t quite get that moment right.

“Then, in the second half, I felt as though Port Vale were on top coming out of the blocks. Changing the shape helped us to stabilise, then you put attacking subs on to feed, and that’s the only bit we didn’t get right – that capability under great stress and pressure just to nick one through to Zach Clough or Brad Young and they’ll be off.

“We couldn’t quite get that right at that moment but all in all you have to say well done to the lads.”

Vale came closest when ex-Blues sub David Amoo hit the post in the 82nd minute.

Beech felt the decisions of ref Paul Howard after the break enabled the hosts to put extra aerial pressure on the Cumbrians.

He said: “I said to [Nathan] Smith, their centre-half, ‘You can have Tristan’s shirt after the game if you want...’ The ref says it’s 50-50 but we didn’t seem to get any help in that second half from the referee, from any situation that was middle ground.

“Even Zach got smashed on the halfway line and he blew for a foul for them – that means the ball’s coming straight back into your box.

“From every foul, that was happening, so the lads held their own.”

It was a third away game in eight days, after trips to Sheffield United and Swindon.

Beech added: “Timing is important in football – Port Vale have had back to back home games.

“We’ve been to Sheffield, Swindon, here…it’s tough but the boys didn’t play with any of these excuses, which I don’t express anyway.

“They just got on with it. That’s what I’m really pleased and proud about.”