VALE of Lune crashed to their fifth League North One defeat of the season against a Chester side who are emerging as real promotion contenders.

But the defeat means Vale, who failed to score in a league game for the first time in more than 10 years, now find themselves under pressure at the wrong end of the table.

Vale made changes following their home defeat by Hull but were unable to trouble a well-organised Chester outfit.

Forwards Lee Farnworth. Malcolm Fowler, Gavin McHugh and Gui Schueller worked hard to stem the tide with some tough tackling, while three-quarters Ian Bird and Donovan Sanders made yardage without ever threatening.

Vale trailed by 15 points at the end of the opening 20 minutes and by the interval were a massive 18 points adrift.

Forced to play catch-up, the locals were never really in a position to challenge Chester's lead despite playing with more confidence in the second period.

VALE: Bryan; Thomson (Smith 47), Sanders, Bird, Bennetts, Huntington; Jackson (Allen 63), Watson; Huck, Farnworth, Rouse; Schueller, McHugh (Hoyle 63), Fowler.