Darrell Clarke praised his Barnsley side for a ‘very professional performance’ in a 3-1 win at his former club Port Vale in the FA Cup second round on Saturday.

Marc Roberts headed in a free-kick for the opener then, after the hosts made it 1-1 at half-time, Davis Keillor-Dunn and Adam Phillips secured the win.

Head coach Clarke said: “It was always going to be tough against a team that won the last five games and were flying high in League Two. But we were very professional then raised it ten or 15 per cent in the second half, scored a real good second goal secured it with a third then saw it out comfortably.

“I had a great time at Port Vale, I have a personal attachment to the club and I hope they get promoted and kick on. I am sure they will under Darren (Moore).

“We produced quality moments. It was nice to score another set piece. The lads are doing a lot of work on set pieces with my staff. It was tight at 1-1 and the second goal was a very good move, with a lot of the things we’ve worked on in training – switching the play then a great goal and great finish.”

Keillor-Dunn netted from a cross by Corey O’Keeffe whose momentum sent crashing him into the advertising hoardings.

Keillor-Dunn said: “I was more bothered about Corey than the goal. I was worried he was out cold in the stand. I had to make sure he was fine then we could celebrate.

"It was good to get a goal and the win. To win a game with good play and sustained attacks is always better.”

Clarke is pleased with his side’s form after they also took seven points from the last three away games. He said: “That’s four good performances on the spin. We have to keep getting better, keep that intensity and try to bring quality to the table on more occasions.”

Clarke confirmed that Barry Cotter is not injured and was just left out of the 20-man squad.