ELTON VALE...0 MONTON AMS...3: WHILE all of their rivals were left kicking their heels due to waterlogged pitches, Vale fluffed a golden opportunity to climb nearer to safety, as they failed to reach the heights of recent weeks.

Having failed to convert several good chances in the second half they were eventually sunk by two late goals.

The word 'sunk' could have been used in a different context when another downpour minutes before kick-off put the game in doubt.

However, Eccles referee Barry Lamb opted to start and both sets of players splashed around for the first half hour before the rain ceased and allowed the surface to improve.

Vale didn't adapt well to the conditions, with too many players pursuing the same style of football as if the surface was in it's normal lush state, while a more experienced Monton side used a more direct approach.

Elton were able to name an unchanged line-up for the third successive game after two away wins, but their miserable home form continued when, after only ten minutes. Monton's veteran striker Tony Camilleri curled in a free kick from the left touchline that 'keeper Steve Crossley couldn't keep out of the net.

The visitors kept up the tempo and Camilleri was unlucky to see another shot find the side netting, whilst Crossley did well to save at close quarters from Andy Barlow.

The Vale 'keeper was put under even more pressure by some hazardous back passes that held up in the surface water, but he just got to the ball before some eager opponents.

The hosts had hardly ventured out of their own half as they kicked into the driving rain, but in their first real attack Steve Smith was foiled at close range by his namesake Adam in the Monton goal, who pulled off a stunning save.

As the gloomy skies brightened up at the start of the second half, so did Elton's play, and they created a number of scoring opportunities.

Ian Hutchinson almost scored an identical goal to Camilleri's only for Adam Smith to arch backwards and tip the ball over the bar.

The Monton custodian then had luck on his side when he spilled the ball, but Andy Sensale was a fraction too late in reacting to the follow up.

Steve Howson was only a hair's breadth away from connecting with a Martin Hulme cross at the back post, then Hutchinson again looked to have grabbed the equaliser with another free kick, but Smith made an even better save to claw the ball away at the angle of bar and post.

The surface water then came to Monton's rescue as Sensale rounded the 'keeper but couldn't take the ball with him towards the empty net, whilst Steve Smith, after being denied again by Monton's Smith, then did get the better of him, only to see his close range effort hit a post.

Having weathered the storm in more ways than one, the visitors responded with Barlow bringing a cracking double save from Crossley before doubling their advantage in the 78th minute, when Rob Crook broke through the home defence and curled the ball beyond the Vale 'keeper.

Elton promptly pushed extra men forward but Monton in turn got even more players behind the ball to defend their lead.

Alas, they still found time and space to grab a third goal in the 88th minute when Colin Bonfield breached the offside trap and raced through to score, leaving the Vale management frustrated and puzzled at the inconsistency of their side.

TEAM: Crossley 7, Burke 6, A.Doran 6, Wilkes 6, Hulme 7, Hopkins 5, Stott 6, Howson 6, Hutchinson 6, Sensale 6, Smith 6 Subs: Price (for Hopkins, 45mins) 6, S.Doran (for Howson, 65 mins) 6, Hannon (for Sensale, 65 mins) 6