BRAVE Vale of Lune slipped to another Powergen North One defeat but did enough in their latest loss to suggest they can avoid relegation.

Lune have managed to show battling qualities in recent weeks and that mental and physical toughness was called upon again at Powder House Lane.

Chester have serious pro-motion ambitions and made the trip from one castle city to another confident of victory.

But Vale, with Juan Crous and Kevin Gardner returning from injury, were equally deter-mined to hoist themselves away from the danger zone.

They started well and went in front after six minutes thanks to a penalty from the sure boot of Adam Miller, adding to the lead with a tremendous try from prop Andrew Sutcliffe though this time Miller found the angle too tight to add the extras.

Chester reduced the deficit just before the break when winger Sean Green dived into the corner.

And they crossed the whitewash again shortly after the restart through Steve Burke but seconds earlier Miller had a try harshly ruled out.

Matt Jones stepped in to replace the hobbling Miller as kicker and booted Vale in front again just before the hour with a well-taken penalty.

At that moment it appeared Vale, leading 11-10, could go on to record a famous victory.

But Simon Verbickas plunged over for a fine try created by Tom Foden's quick break.

Verbickas knocked the conversion through the posts and then he converted Matt Sheen's late try to leave Vale beaten but not broken.

Vale head to Merseyside for their third meeting of the season with West Park St Helens on Saturday.

vAnd they are aiming to avoid an unwanted hat-trick after going out of the Powergen Cup 11-7 and losing their Powder House Lane league clash 25-3.

St Helens are on the fringes of the promotion race but Vale are determined to lift themselves away from trouble.

VALE OF LUNE: Bennetts; Bryan, Sorour, Gardner, Miller (Smith 71); Jones, Richardson; Jackson, Watson (Allen 74), Sutcliffe; Farnworth, Crous (Baines 61); Darwen, McHugh, Barton.