VALE of Lune were dealt a double whammy at Rochdale. Not only did they lose a must-win game but news came through that rivals for the drop, Northwich, had won at home against Stockport, to leapfrog the Vale by one point.

Now the Vale face a massive challenge if they are to avoid dropping out of North Two West for the first time in their history.

Not only will they have to win their last three games, at home to New Brighton, Lymm and at Sandbach but Northwich will have to drop points, with games at Winnington Park, Rochdale at home, and at Leigh on April 19.

A slender lifeline remains for the Vale; they cannot afford another defeat, and even then the odds are stacked against them as the legacy of their form – or lack of it – in the first 12 games, when they won only one once, comes back to haunt and hurt them.

After Saturday, suddenly the composition of the North Lancashire and Cumbria, and Euromanx South Lancashire and Cheshire One, leagues into which the Vale could drop, become prescribed reading.

It was a quiet and subdued Vale coach that battled its way through wind and rain along the M62. Once off the motorway the Vale were confronted by a phalanx of diversion signs but the sat nav guided them to their destination at Moorgate Avenue.

During the course of their helter-skelter encounter against Rochdale in atrocious conditions, the Vale could have done with some form of ground positioning device, particularly during the second half when they laid siege to the home side.

Apart from their try from Carl Lamb in the 50th minute they failed to navigate either a way through or round a resilient and admirable Rochdale defence.

The heavy rain and strong wind were huge factors for both sides to contend with, and when the Vale had them in their favour in the second 40, by and large, they played the correct game, keeping the ball tight, letting Malcolm Fowler, Danny Lin, Gavin Barton and Lamb muscle their way around at close quarters, and unleashing the powerful Craig Orrick on a charge for the line.

Perhaps the Vale became a shade too predictable and should have thrown caution to the wind and moved the ball around, but in such a tight game this was an open invitation to disaster because even close passing was a lottery with the ball slipping through cold grasping hands like the proverbial.

With the rain beginning to lash down even harder, Rochdale had the elements in their favour in the first half and in the fifth minute went ahead with a penalty from Philip Cowburn.

Gradually the Vale traversed their way into Rochdale territory. Adam Armstrong accurately pumped the ball downfield, Owen Hughes darted around to good effect and pressure was exerted on Rochdale.

Disciplined Vale rugby resulted in Armstrong kicking a penalty in the 20th minute to level.

Both sides tended to cancel each other out, due in no small part to the conditions but, in the closing nine minutes, Rochdale claimed the advantage. Cowburn kicked a penalty and just before the interval, he snapped up a loose ball to race away for an unconverted try.

Vale began the second half intent on softening up the home side's defensive network. Orrick made a dangerous break, James Hodder chipped for the corner but was bundled into touch.

Wave after wave of attack rolled towards Rochdale's line but the ball was dropped; Vale infringements hindered progress before Lamb peeled off forward drive from a line-out to plough a lone furrow for his first try since joining the Vale.

With spectators huddling under umbrellas, those that were not turned inside out, or finding some respite on the clubhouse balcony, and large puddles appearing on the pitch, the Vale pounded away at Rochdale's ramparts.

Occasionally a Rochdale player hoofed the ball up field or into touch but there was little respite for the defenders as they soaked up near relentless pressure.

The contest developed into a game of attack and defence with Vale plugging away for an opening, any opening, and Rochdale stoically defending.

It all became very frantic and frustrating with the game tantalisingly within the Vale's reach but, as the clock slowly ticked down, it became evident that any hopes of victory were as far away as the vehicles that chugged their way up the distant M62, now dappled in sunshine.

As the Vale homed in on Rochdale's ground with its modern clubhouse, they passed a sign for the Gracie Fields Theatre on Hudson's Walk, which was opened by the darling of Lancashire in 1978.

Leaving Rochdale, despite the improving weather conditions, it was difficult to look on the bright side for Vale supporters and perhaps some recalled the titles and lyrics from Our Gracie's numerous hits 'Sing as we go and let the world go by', 'There's always tomorrow to think of today', and, perhaps for those who are looking to the future, 'Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye with a cheer not a tear'.

Of course another famous singer from Rochdale, Lisa Stansfield, sang about the 'symptoms of loneliness and heartbreak', which after an emotional draining afternoon at Rochdale hit the nail on the head.

Vale of Lune: A Armstrong, J Bryan, A Garnett, C Orrick, J Hodder (rep A Richards 70), N Bennetts, O Hughes, P Jackson, G Barton, A Cowey (rep D Halliwell 57), L Farnworth, D Perry, C Lamb, D Lin, M Fowler (capt).