VALE of Lune's troubled season took another turn for the worse as they turned in a poor performance on a crucial day.

Lune faced fellow Powergen North One strugglers Altrincham Kersal at Powder House Lane in a must-win game and seemed set to get the points they needed as their forwards dominated the opening quarter.

After those early minutes of pressure Vale held a 12-0 lead - but that was as good as it got for the locals as their game fell apart and two errors allowed Altrincham to run in tries to make it 12-10 at the break.

Things had started well for Vale in the 'four-pointer' as they totally dominated the early exchanges and Andrew Sutcliffe darted over from close range after spinning off a line-out in nine minutes.

They went further ahead eight minutes later in some style as James Bryan's beautifully timed pass to debutant winger Tyrone Sorour allowed the new boy to skip through the defence and run under the posts.

It was an excellent try and when Adam Smith booted the extras it seemed Vale were home and hosed.

But they began to stutter and Chris Sterrant's brace of tries before the break put Altrincham in the game. And when he completed his hat-trick after the re-start, Vale were in trouble.

They went further behind in 50 minutes when barnstorming centre Peauafi Leuila blasted through a weary defence for another try and the visitor's rout was completed thanks to those tries being converted by Richard Wainwright, who also booted two penalties to rub salt into the Vale wounds.

The defeat leaves Vale hovering just above the relegation places - but they have tough away games coming up at Birkenhead Park and Preston Grasshoppers.

And they know they need improve and rediscover the form they showed earlier in the season if they are to pull clear of the danger zone.

VALE: Smith (Richardson 48); Doherty, Bryan, Bird, Sorour; Bennetts, Huntington; Jackson (Allen 76), Rickerby, Sutcliffe; Farnworth, Rous; Darwen (Clarkson 26), McHugh, Fowler.