Spireites Assistant Manager LEE RICHARDSON paid tribute to the supporters for the part they played in the win over Port Vale. SPIREITES WORLD members heard it first; read the interview highlights here.

Lee Richardson - that's just the result we wanted?

Very much so. After Millwall, where we felt we had an improved performance, but lost, it was going to be a test of character today, and the reaction of the supporters helped. We needed them to get behind us and they did that.

Was Jamie Ward the reason for that? He looked a live wire?

He was a catalyst, a little bit; I thought we had honest endeavour out there but they do need a lift sometimes, and the supporters were there to do it. They recognised that the lads were giving it their best shot and that, from the goalkeeper all the way through, we had some good performances.

Ward's goal was magnificent?

He was a thorn in their side and it was pleasing to see him get the goal, created by Derek Niven. Unfortunately he'll be off for six weeks with a pulled hamstring, but that's the nature of football; we've got to get on with it. We've got players like Colin Larkin, and young Jamie Jackson is getting nearer to a start, and we might have to look at the loan system to replace him. Football can be a cruel game; Jamie's seen both sides of it today. We've got to get on with it.

Port Vale had some possession,, but did nothing with it?

Possession can be a bit of a curse sometimes. If you have it but you aren't going anywhere with it then you don't hurt the opponents. Sometimes we have possession but don't hurt other teams but today we hurt them; we put the ball in the right areas and got the rewards.

Ward settled in well alongside The Chief?

Yeah, "Little and Large!" They all did well today - it wasn't really about an individual. Rochey looked really assured in goal; the centre-halves did well and the forwards, too. It sets us up for the game at Carlisle - get something there and we'll look forward to the Forest game with relish.

It's a busy week to come, and you've set the standard today?

Yes; the most pleasing thing was the reaction of the supporters. When your team's losing the supporters lose faith and hope. We know that the reality is that we're all working hard to get success at this football club. We don't always achieve that, but its something that we want to do more often. Today the fans got behind us from minute one and we'd like to thank them for that.