Vale produced a whole hearted performance at Fylde that gained in momentum after a slow start but after forcing themselves back into contention they were on the wrong end of a couple of decisions at crucial stages. The rub of the green was certainly not favouring the visitors but as always over a long season such situations tend to cancel each other out, little comfort on the occasions when they go against you. This particular debate rumbled on well after the final whistle had blown.

A missed turning on the way to Fylde did not help the Vale's pre match warm up programme and although Sean Coulshed kicked a tenth minute penalty goal, the vale trailed 24-3 after twenty two minutes.

Gradually the Vale levered their way back into the game and in the thirtieth minute the elusive, speedy Rob Lamerton bolted off his wing, swaying inside and outside past defenders he linked with Josh Whyke to provide the full back with a quality try which Coulshed converted.

Scott Foy mauled his way over for an unconverted try in the thirty eighth minute and just before half time all the Vale arms were raised in unison when Ryan Needham plunged over the line but the referee deemed he had been held up and ruled no try, much to the frustration of the lock forward who had bravely gone for a score.

Despite this disappointment the Vale made a terrific start to the second half. The strong running Jake Harrison, the find of the season, went over for a try in the forty fifth minute after the centre had had an earlier effort overruled, Coulshed added the conversion.

With the Vale coming more into contention their aspirations received a set back when lapses in concentration allowed a street wise Fylde to add two more tries, one of which was converted.

The Vale refused to let their heads drop and in the seventy fifth minute Matt Field lifted the side with an unconverted try and even though Fylde added a late converted try the Vale had the final shout with another classy try from Jake Harrison which Coulshed converted.

Jake Harrison with two tries in his two games for the Vale was outstanding and had made an instant impact, Olly Cowey and Joe Clarkson were magnificent in an excellent industrious pack that refused to take a backward step that included the experienced Phil Jackson who was making a welcome return to the front row.

Second in the league Caldy 2 will be the visitors to Powder House Lane on Saturday before the leagues are divided into a conference format for the remainder of the season.

Vale A: J Whyke; A Hill (D Starkey 20), J Antcliffe, J Harrison, R Lamerton; S Coulshed, N Walker; M Field, S Harrison, P Jackson; D Rainford, R Needham; O Cowey, J Clarkson, S Foy.