After their defeat at Penrith the previous week the Vale produced a much improved all round performance against Liverpool St Helens but unfortunately they were unable to ease their relegation worries in a frustrating game where a number of crucial decisions went against them at critical moments.

Moss Lane is a ground where few Vale sides have enjoyed success in recent seasons but the Vale received a boost when Gareth Price kicked a seventh minute penalty. Ten minutes later the gremlins entered the Vale’s game when Liverpool took full advantage as the Vale stood flat footed awaiting the referee’s whistle, to post an unconverted try.

With little to choose between the two sides the Vale into the lead in the fifty sixth minute. A superb passage of rugby from the visitors ended with the alert Josh Whyke collecting a neat unconverted try.

Gareth Price might have extended the Vale’s lead but his penalty was off target as his side enjoyed a spell of encouraging rugby but they were thwarted in their quest by conceding a number of penalties which in turn disrupted their flow.

Liverpool St Helens secured victory with a converted try that attracted some raised eyebrows from the Vale’s contingent when once again they anticipated the referee’s whistle, but when no peep came the Vale were again exposed.

In a game that generated plenty of post match discussion the Vale did emerge with some plus points. The pack played with fortitude throughout against experienced opponents, hooker Phil Watson took a scrum against the head and Gareth Tudor, after a dip in form recently, was in aggressive mode throughout. Centre Luke Richmond had a solid game until an injury forced him to retire from the action and once more Kieran Doyle was in mercurial form at stand off.

By common consent the Vale were unlucky to lose against second in the table but they will have to put their disappointments behind them ahead of an important home game against Altrincham Kersal on Saturday, a side that has already inflicted two defeats on the Vale so far.