Smith angry at referee

Dean Smith blamed a decision by referee Andy D'Urso for Walsall's first defeat in five games as Port Vale nicked the points.

Striker Jordy Hiwula appeared to be pulled back by big defender Ryan Inniss, making his debut for Vale on loan from Crystal Palace, but the official ignored the penalty claims in the 23rd minute. Smith, who decided there was no point talking to D'Urso after the game, said: "The whole match hinged on that decision. It was a penalty and a red card. "Unfortunately we didn't get that decision, but everyone in the ground saw it was a penalty - even their bench. Why would Jordy go down when he was there to score?" Vale cashed in on that incident when they won the game with a typical goal from Tom Pope, his 10th of the season and first since returning to action after three months out with a knee injury. Skipper Carl Dickinson whipped over a great 28th-minute cross which enabled Pop to out-muscle defender Andy Taylor and head past goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell - another incident which Smith felt might have been a foul. A delighted Vale manager Rob Page felt it was a classic away performance by his team, who picked up their first win in five games and climbed closer to local rivals Walsall in the battle for the play-offs. "We knew we were up against a very good outfit in Walsall and had to be defensively well organised because of their movement, and I thought we handled it very well," said Page. "Our discipline and defending was excellent and we thoroughly deserved the three points and a first clean sheet in three months." Page thought the penalty decision could have gone either way, adding : "Sometimes you need a bit of luck, and if he (Smith) thinks it was a penalty, perhaps we have had the rub of the green. But I would like to see it again." Smith also claimed Pope fouled Andy Taylor when he headed the winner, but Page did not agree. "Tom is very clever with his movement and how he uses his body," reasoned the former Wales international defender.