ELLESMERE Port slipped to their fifth straight league defeat on Saturday when they went down 22-10 at home to Marple.

But the outcome might have been different had their backs been able to make the most of a dominant forward display which pegged the Greater Manchester outfit back into their own half for most of the match.

A much-changed Port side, featuring a number of players from the club’s second team, deservedly took the lead when stand-in fly-half and man-of-the-match Phil Gow played in pacy fullback Ant Jones to cross the whitewash.

Marple, however, took advantage of a mistake and indiscipline in the home ranks to score a try and then a penalty to lead 8-5 at the break.

The visitors extended their lead after the restart with two converted tries.

But it was the hosts who finished the stronger with 48-year-old veteran Steve Buckley reducing the deficit when he touched down for his first try for the club in five seasons.

Port assistant coach Ian Johnson said: “The new lads did the club proud showing that we have a strength in depth through the first and second team squads.

“Tom Ellis, Tom Wynne, Lee Percival and others are now starting to push for regular squad places and this can only be good for the club.”

Port are at home to Crewe & Nantwich on Saturday (2.15pm).