ELTON VALE ...0 LEIGH ATHLETIC...3: VALE are still firmly entrenched in the Manchester League Premier Division drop zone after another disappointing defeat, albeit against the best side they have faced this season.

Leigh did the basics well, defending stubbornly at one end and taking their chances at the other and were a constant threat with their swift counterattacks.

Elton, on the other hand, once again conceded soft goals and missed even easier scoring opportunities.

Vale almost took the lead in the first minute when, from a goalmouth melee, Steve Smith's close range header hit an upright.

Leigh quickly hit back, forcing a string of corners and it was from one of these in the 10th minute that they were gifted the lead when an inswinger was allowed to creep in at the near post with Gordon Walker being accredited with the final touch.

Elton responded well and Andy Sensale got behind the opposing defence only to see his shot blocked by the outstretched legs of 'keeper Chris Coope.

It was 2-0 after twenty five minutes when a defence splitting pass from Walker released striker Chris Simm wide on the left and as 'keeper Steve Crossley came out to close him down Simm confidently rolled the ball beyond him and into the empty net.

Vale almost fell further behind at the start of the second half but it was now Crossley's turn to save with his legs as he thwarted Simm.

Elton quickly regained their composure and began to exert some real pressure on the Leigh goal. They had by far the greater possession in the remaining forty minutes but just couldn't find the end product.

Steve Doran's surging run past three opponents ended with his shot bringing a good save from Coope. Andy Sensale then should have broken the net when the ball reached him unmarked on the six yard line but he only succeeded in finding the chest of the custodian who, despite being grounded, somehow managed to keep out Steve Howson's follow up shot for an incredible double save.

The most glaring miss though, came on seventy minutes when Chris Read headed Ian Hutchinson's pinpoint cross over the bar from three yards out to just about sum up Elton's luck at the moment.

The constant push forward left the inevitable gaps at the back which Leigh cruelly exploited in the very last minute when Danny Wilson broke clear and skipped past one defender before drawing in another and squaring for Simm, the division's leading scorer, to take his tally to 22 for the season with a simple tap-in.

TEAM: Crossley 6, Hannon 5, Burke 6, A.Doran 7, Hutchinson 6, S.Doran 6, Howson 6, Wilkes 7, Jones 5, Smith 6, Sensale 7 Subs: Read (for Jones, 57 mins) 6, Stott (for Hannon, 57 mins) 6, Hopkins (for Howson, 81 mins).

Gary Davenport's goal wasn't enough to prevent the reserves losing 2-1 at East Manchester reserves.