INTERIM Port Vale boss Danny Pugh felt his side's early opener was key in beating Southend United 5-1 on Saturday.

Devante Rodney put Vale in front inside the first minute at Vale Park.

And Pugh, who is now expected to step aside for Vale's new manager, felt the striker's first goal of the afternoon helped the hosts to get back on track after four games without a win. 

“That first goal in the first minute lifted all the tension, we’d come out intending to start well and obviously we couldn’t have wished for any more from Devante,” said Pugh.

“He is such a threat and there’s a lot more to come from him, he’s technically good, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s still young and there’s still a lot more to come from him, he showed a couple of glimpses today of how good a player he can be.

“We know he can score the outstanding goals, the 35-yarders, we know he’s got that in his locker, but we want him to score the scrappy goals and the tap-ins, the glancing headers.

"That’s what he needs to add to his game and he’s done that today. He put in a really good performance.

“I’m delighted with our performance, obviously the result follows the performance but from minute one every single player was outstanding so I’m really pleased.”