AIR MILES Manchester League Premier Division

DUKINFIELD TOWN...5

ELTON VALE...1

VALE dropped down a couple of places to second-from-bottom of the table, following this desperately disappointing defeat at Blocksages Park against a side just two positions above them.

Changes to the formation by Elton manager Guy Mallinson backfired badly, as his players never really got to grips with the line-up or the uneven, rutted pitch as well as their more committed opponents.

Dukinfield were in the driving seat for most of the first half and it was only some shoddy finishing that kept the score at 1-0 when half time arrived.

The goal arrived on 20 minutes when midfielder Rene Tumini ran unchallenged from deep to meet a long ball and lob 'keeper Steve Crossley from almost thirty yards.

Vale on the other hand hardly threatened, with Steve Dearden coming closest to finding the net when his header was diverted for a corner.

Having kept the score down to one whilst kicking into the strong wind, Elton did have a much brighter start to the second half with the elements in their favour and unsettled the Town defence on several occasions.

A couple of inswinging corners almost led to the equaliser, but a goal line clearance from the first, and the crossbar from the second, kept the ball out of the onion bag.

But on the hour mark all that good work was ruined, as Vale conceded the kind of goal that illustrates just why they are in trouble.

Despite having three opponents around him on the half way line, Tumini was allowed to win the ball and lay it off to lone striker Ryan Howe, whose miss-hit shot bobbled towards goal only for Crossley to miss-time his dive and the ball rolled gently under him into the net.

The withdrawal of an Elton defender for an attacker was also the cue for the floodgates to open, as Dukinfield grabbed a third in the 70th minute, albeit with a little assistance from referee Paddy Hines-Blackburn.

When Steve Howson was tripped in the Town eighteen yard box for what looked a penalty, the protests were still being waved away as the ball was promptly launched forward and Tumini chased it to the bye-line before crossing for Howe to head home.

Vale had another solid looking penalty appeal turned down when Andy Sensale was pulled back just as he was about to pull the trigger, but they were finally awarded one for a push on Des Hutchinson, and Howson made no mistake from the spot.

Any thoughts of a comeback were banished within a minute, as Dukinfield exploited the extra space up front and Steve Matthews' cross was expertly volleyed home by Pete Sidebottom.

Matthews then completed the rout two minutes from time when Dukinfield again surged forward to hopelessly outnumber Vale's beleaguered defence and a simple close range tap-in did the rest.

Having played more games than the majority of their rivals in the relegation battle, Vale now have just eight games left to secure their Premier status, and are still 10 points behind what is generally regarded as the safety mark of 28.

Importantly though, four of those outings are against those same relegation rivals, and it could well go right to the wire although performances such as this one will have to be greatly improved on if Elton are to avoid the drop.

TEAM: Crossley 5, Burke 6, Dearden 6, Doran 6, Price 5, Howson 5, Stott 5, I.Hutchinson 6, Hulme 5, Sensale 5, Smith 5 Subs: Hopkins (for Stott, 55 mins) 5, D.Hutchinson ( for Burke, 65 mins) 5

The reserves lost 3-0 at home to Stockport Georgians reserves.

Vale are at home to second placed Royton Town tomorrow and the reserves are away to Ashton Athletic. Both kick off at 2.30pm.

Boro header in here from night