After a steady start to the season, Vale are now three games unbeaten, the highlight of which was a 2-1 victory at Bramhall Lane in the Carling Cup.
Adams said: "The players gave me everything they had got. I didn't doubt their determination and we all saw that.
"We looked a bit tired in certain areas and we didn't pass the ball as well as we did at Bramall Lane on Tuesday, but we defended a lot better than we did at that match and the three lads at the back were magnificent.
"I was pleased with the clean sheet and you always get chances to score a goal. Marc Richards had the best chance but he didn't quite connect with the corner that was delivered in the first half.
"I have tried to sort one side of the team out at a time. We have worked very hard at the defensive side of the game and maybe that has taken a bit out of us in our forward play, but we will work at that area and get better."