Vale showed signs of improvement but failed to pick up any vital league points against Bicester Town on Saturday.

Pewsey have now gone eight games without securing a point since they beat top of the league Slimbridge in September.

Playing away, they were two down at half time after losing captain Martin Churchward to injury in the 26th minute. Any chance of a come back was thwarted when midfielder Carl Marsh was sent off for violent conduct.

Vale had a good chance to go into the lead in the 14th minute when Nick Dodd played the ball through to striker Tom Ritchie, but his shot whistled wide of the far post.

Straight after that the home side took the lead with a free kick. It was just outside the box when Bicester striker Paul Eldrige struck a powerful effort giving the Vale keeper Lee Wilson no chance.

The heavy rain continued to fall making good football nearly impossible. It was Pewsey who were having the better of the first half, but the home side were creating the best scoring chances.

Bicester struck again just before the break when Micky Marshall took advantage of a mistake by the Pewsey keeper Wilson to tap in.

Pewsey were let off on 60 minutes when Wilson committed himself and was left stranded. New Pewsey signing Shaun Grace showed great awareness to saved blushes when he cleared off the line. Grace had a perfect debut game for the club despite the result.

Then came the sending off of Marsh. He was fouled just outside the box but he retaliated and was shown the red card in the 72nd minute.

Bicester's third goal came on the 74th minute when the ball broke for Lee Blossom to drill past the visiting keeper.

Martin was unlucky when he tried to chip over the home keeper. The shot stopper just got a touch to the ball to put it over the crossbar.

Pewsey are away to Carterton in the Hellenic Challenge Cup on Saturday.