Centre Craig Orrick bulldozed his way through the Northwich defence in the final minute of Saturday's game to turn a 7-3 deficit into an 8-7 winning lead.

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And wit the Vale now out of the relegation zone, Orrick was hoping that his try will mean something at the end of the year.

He said: "I told (fly-half) Neale Foster and (full-back) Neil Bennetts that if I could get the ball close enough to the line I would score.

"I was just praying that I would get the ball in my hands that close to the line because more often than not I am going to get over."

The Vale swapped places with Northwich following the result.

Orrick said: "Now we have given ourselves an opportunity and we have got to kick on.

"It could be a season-defining moment. Now Northwich have got to deal with falling back into relegation zone."

Orrick was willed over the line by his colleagues, the Vale supporters and coach Mark Sutcliffe.

But it was another voice that made the difference, said Orrick.

"One of the away supporters said 'you are in for it now the Vale' when they scored their try. I thought to myself 'don't count us out yet' and that gave us more determination."

Coach Sutcliffe said: "Craig is 17 stones of brute force and it was sheer determination that got him over the line.

"To be honest, it was our defence that kept us in the game. It was our worst performance for two months.

"I always knew that one score would change the game but we never looked like getting it until the last five minutes.

"In situations like that, you get thoroughly involved. When I left the house I looked 38 and when I cam home I looked about 50!

"We are making real progress now. I can't fault the lads, they have worked really hard."

Due to injuries and unavailability, Sutcliffe was still to name his side for the trip to Broughton Park on Saturday.

>> For their visit to Broughton Park in a North Two West fixture this Saturday, the Vale of Lune unveil their latest signing, wing forward Carl Lamb.

This former Ruskin Park and amateur rugby league player has impressed with his recent appearances in the Vale's second team.

Full-back Greg Smith makes his first start after coming on as a replacement against Northwich last week.

To accommodate Smith, Neil Bennetts moves into the centre, with Andrew Garnett being named as a replacement.

Prop Phil Jackson return after missing two games due to holiday arrangements.

Vale of Lune: G Smith, A Richards, N Bennetts, C Orrick, J Bryan; N Foster, J Hodder; P Jackson, G Barton, A Sutcliffe; L Farnworth, D Perry; C Lamb, D Lin, M Fowler (capt). Reps: D Halliwell, D Schuyler, A Garnett.

Coach leaves Powder House Lane at 11.30 prompt.