Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke admitted the visitors would be happier with a point than Carlisle United after the Brunton Park stalemate.

Vale’s six-game winning run came to an end in Cumbria but Clarke was pleased with his team’s defensive resolve in the 0-0 draw.

The Valiants manager conceded Carlisle had the better of things before the break, with his side going on to force better chances in the second half.

But he was satisfied overall with his team’s solid performance against a persistent United side.

“It’s a battling point,” he said on his club’s official channels.

“We’re obviously disappointed not to win the game but in the first half they were the better team, second half we had a couple of better chances than them, and Browny [keeper Scott Brown] hasn’t had a lot of work to do.

“Against a team that’s top of the table in home form in the league, we did what a lot of teams haven’t done and that’s shut them out with a clean sheet.”

Clarke felt his team “defended superbly” amid a “100mph” spell in the game when United were hurling long throws into the Vale box.

“There were a few long-range shots but nothing that troubled us too much,” he added.

Clarke added of a fourth straight clean sheet for his 14th-placed side: “I’ve made us ugly, hard to beat, aggressive and that’s why we’ve picked up the points and wins we have.

“There’s a positive on a clean sheet and coming a long way and getting that point.

“Carlisle are no mugs and have been on a good run of form. We knew it would be a test. I’m sure we’ll be more pleased with a point than they are.”