VALE of Lune's miserable October ended with a fifth straight defeat - this time to high-flying Hull Ionians at Powder House Lane.

However, Vale's battered troops restored some of their lost pride as they performed with more spirit than in recent weeks.

And had it not been for a late Hull rally, Lune could well have taken something from the game.

In fact, that rally gave the final score an unbalanced look as ambitious Hull faced a battle and a half against a determined, gritty Vale 15.

The locals were forced into several team changes but played enterprising rugby and took an early lead when Adam Smith converted a penalty after 10 minutes.

Those three points gave Vale confidence as they moved the ball well through their forwards andout to the backs - but they found it difficult to break down a well organised Hull defence before Mark Jasnikowski slotted over a penalty to make it 3-3.

Vale continued to press, with Smith converting again to give Lune a 6-3 interval lead.

After the break packs held the upper hand, with Vale grimly hanging onto their lead until the 62nd minute when Mick Watson darted over to put Ionians in front.

And five minutes later they went further in front as a penalty for a high tackle was kicked to the corner and a relentless controlled drive saw Derek Eves driven over the line for a try.

Vale briefly hit back and gained a simple penalty kicked which was converted by Smith to reduce the deficit to just four points.

But Hull wrapped up the victory in injury time when good support work saw Stu Towns send Mark Jasnikowski in at the corner and then the same player added the most difficult conversion of the day.

Vale have no game this weekend but face yet another stiff test on Saturday week when they travel to Middlesbrough.

VALE: Bryan; Smith, Sanders, Bird, Doherty; Bennets (Richardson 63), Huntington; Allen, Watson, Watson; Farnworth, Rous; Schueller, McHugh (Hoyle 38), Fowler.