A hugely disappointing team performance and a fourth straight defeat saw Mersey Valley well beaten by Styal team that fully deserved their three points at Banky Lane on Saturday.

The result puts more pressure on manager Jon Hudson after a disappointing season which has seen the side struggle to adapt to life in League One.

After a closely fought cup game with Newton-le-Willows last weekend confidence should have been high going into the game – new signings Arthur Gibson and Ted Palmer-Atkins were both named on the bench.

The home side started well, Mike Woolley nearly caught the keeper off his line but he scrambled back to make a smart save.

Styal look the lead on 15 minutes, another defensive error gave the ball away and it was a simple finish from inside the box.

It was a close game, Valley nearly equalised when James Matthews created an opening from himself and his shot was brilliant saved low down by the keeper.

One-minute later it was 2-0, another error as Valley gave the ball away in the midfield and Styal broke to beat keeper Sam Phillips.

Valley couldn’t get going, it took 40 minutes for them to get a good passing move going but they failed to create a clear opening.

HT: Mersey Valley 0 Styal 2

The home side started the second half stronger more possession but an alarming lack of quality in the final third.

Styal soaked up the pressure and despite more of the ball Valley failed to create a good opportunity.

Youngster Chris Antoniades was brought on for his full league debut for the club and Palmer-Atkins made his second debut replacing an out-of-sorts Green.

Styal put any chance of a come back to bed when the impressive Joe Knight smashed the ball into the back of the net and the game was done.

FT: Mersey Valley 0 Styal 3