ELTON Vale took the honours in the match-up of two of the league’s unbeaten sides.
The first opportunity fell to Elton as Gareth Gardiner’s free kick that scraped the bar.
Atherton had a bright spell midway through the half but Vale dug in to remain level.
They say fortune favours the brave and it paid off on the half hour, when Vale scored the decisive goal.
Marvin Browne’s initial shot was blocked but it fell kindly for him to shoot into the top corner of the net.
Steve Simms went close to extending the leading in the second with a shot that sailed wide.
On 75 minutes, Atherton went close when a shot was cleared off the goal-line.
However, it was Vale who had a final chance when Gardiner’s shot hit the post.
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