Pitman: It feels like a defeat

Jamie Pitman was disappointed to concede a late equaliser at Port Vale but feels Hereford are close to securing survival.

Valiants caretaker manager Mark Grew was in charge for the first time since Jim Gannon was sacked on Monday and saw substitute Tom Pope deny the Bulls all three points with a late header after James McQuilkin had given the visitors the lead with a stunner. Pitman said: "The equaliser was a killer blow because we didn't really see it coming. It feels more like a defeat to us than a draw because we were almost home and dry. "The boys worked really hard and we restricted Vale to very few chances. We also broke with a lot of pace and purpose and I wasn't surprised we got a goal. It was a well-worked move and a great strike from James McQuilkin. "On the positive side we have got another point and it takes us to 41 and closer to our target. The other teams at the bottom have lost, so it certainly hasn't been a disaster. "We now look forward to a home game against Crewe and if we can get a point a game it will probably be enough to keep us in the league."