A FIRST-half goal blitz saw Hugh Hamill's men secure a comfortable and thoroughly deserved three points.

Vale were forced to change last week's winning 11, with Alex Drain on holiday they were boosted with the return from injury of club captain Alex Lacy.

Last week's second-half subs Brian Smith and new-signing Mark Bowie were preferred in place of top scorer Mark Pawsey and David McNaught.  The Possilpark side included former Vale striker Paul Leggatt in their line up.

It was the Glasgow side who were first to threaten when after only two minutes a misplaced Smith backheader saw Shire break and only the legs of Matty Carr spared Vale's blushes.

Vale got their noses in front after 14 minutes with a well-worked goal. Vinny Berry made a great run and fed the ball into Alan Gourlay, who slipped a neat ball through to Allan Lees, who calmly slipped the ball past the advancing keeper to put Vale ahead.

Lees almost added a second 10 minutes later but this time he headed wide of target from Berry's corner.

Two goals in two minutes put Vale into a winning position after 31 minutes.

In typical fashion, Filshie won possession and set Vincent Berry free on the left. After he got on the end of Dougie Wilson's cross the in-form Berry steered the ball into the net via the far post.

Two minutes later and Berry was again the creator and this time his cross from the left was headed out by a Shire defender, only for Alan Gourlay to fire a fabulous volley into the roof of the net from 20 yards.

The second half failed to live up to the high standard of play produced in the opening half. As Vale had a three-goal cushion, they elected to sit back and allow their opponents to gain control - but fortunately Vale's defence were in no mood to give up their first league clean sheet.

Vale were best served by Berry, Cavana and the outstanding Kenny Wilson.