PHIL Parkinson praised City’s “magnificent” response as they battled back from Lee Evans’ dismissal to earn a 1-1 draw at Port Vale.

On-loan Fleetwood striker Jamie Proctor headed the equaliser for the 10 men after Evans had been red-carded for a lunge on home midfielder Anthony Grant.

Vale had led inside two minutes through Ajay Leitch-Smith.

Parkinson said: “It was a brilliant result.

“We started poorly and got caught out in a sloppy moment. That knocked us a bit.

“We played some good football in the first half but probably in too deep an area. But second half I thought we were magnificent.

“We’ve had two games against 10 men recently and probably rightly taken criticism for not beating Oldham 4-0 and going through in the cup. But today the shoe was on the other foot.

“It shows how difficult it can be against 10 men. We’ve restricted Port Vale to one shot second half, got a goal and had other chances.”

Parkinson felt first-year referee Lee Swaby got it right on Evans, who faces a three-match ban.

He added: “I thought it was a rash challenge. The ref was on the spot and I thought at the time that it would be a red.”