After grabbing the first goal of his second Vale stint last weekend, Shaun Stevens is determined for both he and the team to continue to progress.

The goal came in in the 2-0 victory over Hawick Royal Albert which was a first league win since the second day of the season and moved them away from the bottom. Hawick remain in bottom spot with Vale now six points clear.

And on a personal level Stevens, 20, wants to use the goal as motivation to keep performing, while also hoping his team-mates can kick on after a morale boosting victory.

He said: “My goal against Hawick was my first competitive goal since re-signing and it feels good breaking the deadlock, it’s a confidence booster for myself and for the team as we aren’t scoring enough goals.

“Before the game against Hawick the gaffer continued to emphasise how important a match it was for us because they hadn’t won a game and that has to come to end at some point. So we knew how vital it was for us to get three points.

“Hopefully we can build on it and go on a better run of form. We haven’t had the best of luck with decisions going our way and injuries so hopefully a turning point there too.”

They don’t come much tougher than a visit to Broadwood Stadium to take on Cumbernauld Colts. They finished sixth in the table last time out and currently sit seventh having lost only two matches. Vale by comparison have only won two, losing the other five.

They have though shown themselves to be capable of picking up points from difficult encounters, none more so than triumphing in the same fixture last year.

Forward Stevens added: “Obviously Cumbernauld are a good side but then again we’re a good side too when we’re playing at our best. It will have to be our best to get three points tomorrow.”