After losing their rearranged fixture against Altrincham Kersal, 30-8, under lights at Broughton Park in the week the Vale seconds suffered a massive disappointment when Lymm snatched victory in the second minute of injury time when a hotly disputed try was followed by the match winning conversion.

The encounter ended dramatically but it also began in similar fashion when Vale’s winger Jonathan Archer suffered a double fracture of the jaw in the first minute. The situation for the home side was further complicated when there replacements bench only contained forwards. Duncan Thomason, normally a wing forward, stepped into the breach and showed his usual energy and commitment but occasionally his predatory skills caused him to go hunting for the ball.

While the Vale absorbed the changes Lymm nipped in with a converted try after eight minutes. Four minutes later, the Vale’s confidence was boosted by a well taken try from the strong running Rhodri Bowen, which was converted by Gareth Price.

Growing into the contest the hard working Vale forwards, who were in fine collective form throughout, set up the platform for a Price try which he converted in the twenty second minute of an eventful half.

With the Vale forwards in control the Vale turned round with a healthy and deserved first half lead when the ever improving Matt Field went over following a quickly taken tap penalty, Price again converted.

Price was off target with a long range penalty attempt early in the second half before the Lymm forwards, taking a leaf out of the Vale’s book provided the momentum for a converted try.

Lymm cut the Vale’s lead to a couple of points when a bouncing ball caused confusion and a certain amount of hesitancy among the defenders. While the Vale stood back Lymm pounced with an unconverted try.

A penalty from Price in the sixty eighth minute helped to settle any Vale nerves but with the final whistle looming the home side appeared on course for victory but heartache was waiting in the wings as Lymm went onto seal victory.

For the Vale Ben Charnley produced his customary work rate at both the line outs and in the loose, while Jack Ferguson was a strong, destructive unit in a contest that the Vale deserved at least a share of the spoils.