ELTON Vale opened their season with three points after a hard-fought clash with Royton.

New-look Vale were unlucky not to take a 15th-minute lead when Gary McShane picked out Steve Doran whose header was somehow clawed away by the visiting goalkeeper.

The lively Ross Buckley shaved the post with a sharp turn and shot and then struck narrowly wide from Nathan Hall’s cross.

Elton broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half when Samir Patel advanced from his full-back position and unleashed a 30-yard shot which dipped and the keeper deflected into his goal as he tried to clear with his feet.

Royton replied two minutes later as Caffrey ran across midfield unchallenged and let go his own 30-yarder that flashed into the top corner.

The goal triggered Royton’s best spell of the game and Elton were on the back foot for the next quarter of an hour before they got a foothold on the game and took the lead.

Dave Wilkes launched a throw into the opposing area and Lee Stott arrived late to meet the flick-on with a challenge that forced the ball into the net.

Anthony Kenyon was denied sealing the game by a last-ditch tackle and was unlucky again when he headed the resulting corner against the bar. But Vale made it third time lucky from the same move as McShane did well to keep the ball in play and lay it off for Stott to stroke into the far corner.

Elton visit last year’s runners-up Springhead on Saturday, kick off 2pm, and host Walshaw on Tuesday, kick off 6.30pm.

The reserves start their season on Saturday at home to Springhead and make the journey to Stockport Georgians on Thursday, kick off 6.30pm.