Vale denied chance to storm back into action
It was a frustrating situation for both clubs. The Vale, after their defeat at Carlisle, needed to get back on track and with a number of their regulars back in harness, they must have approached their visit to Round Ash Park in a positive mood.
Leigh would most certainly have been kicking their heels because they had successfully hauled themselves out imminent danger by recording four successive wins and putting some clear water between the four clubs below them.
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Hide AdAt the end of January Leigh were bottom of the table with two wins from 16 games and 15 points.
At the end of February they had won six and accrued 31 points to ease the pressure.
There is still plenty of room for manoeuvre for those with aspirations of promotion, while the battle to avoid relegation is not without its pitfalls.
Vale are in sixth place with 54 points, coach Dan Williams and skipper Dan Baines will be looking to finish higher than their eighth position of last season when they accumulated 62 points.
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Hide AdOn paper the Vale do not appear to be facing a too demanding run-in but the majority of the clubs will be fighting like terriers to avoid the drop and regardless of where the venues happen to be, the Vale will need to be on their guard.
Two of the Vale’s sides managed to find some action at Powderhouse Lane after the second’s game was called off at Rochdale.
The thirds maintained their thrust for promotion with 24-3 victory over Oldham 2 in Division Three North. Vale 4 lost 43-38 to Bolton 3 in the Rogerson HomeServe+ Division Four North.