Vales bounced back to winning ways with this single goal victory over Dunipace at Millburn on Saturday. This was an important three points for the home side as they battle to avoid the drop and was no less than they deserved.

With top scorer Mark Bowie ruled out Vale recalled fit again Graeme McKenzie with Craig Cowan pushed forward into attack as Vale sought revenge for their recent defeat at Dunipace.

It was the visitors who started the strongest and for the first 15 minutes Vale struggled to get to get to grips with the match. Eventually the home side settled and Cowan should have scored when he volleyed Wardles knock down from McKenzie’s free kick down into the turf and into the arms of the keeper.  

Vale made the breakthrough after 17 minutes when the won a free kick after Cowan was upended on the edge of the area. Browns effort rebounded from the wall and Graeme McKenzie cut inside from the right to curl an inch perfect cross for BRIAN WARDLE to head home at the far post. Barely a minute later Bonner made a great run on the right and his cross saw McKnight’s netbound volley well saved by keeper McLean.

At the other end Vale conceded a bizarre free kick in the area when the referee deemed that  McKenzie’s interception saw the ball roll back to keeper Smith who picked it up and from the resultant free kick the ball was deflected wide of target. When the corner came in McIlduff headed over from close range.

Next up for Vale Browns through ball saw Cowan in on goal but McLean saved well Vale were well on top and Robert McKenzie headed on Browns free kick but Brian Wardle blasted over from close range.

After 40 minutes a sickening clash of heads between Vale midfielders Bonner and Fishie saw the game held up for several minutes as both players became blood brothers for the day. Filshie was unable to continue with youngster Lee Hall thrown on. The Millburn men played out the remaining minutes with 10 men allowing Bonner to be bandaged up during the interval.

A minute into the second half Gordon Martins swerving cross came off the face of the crossbar and Bonner could only find the side netting.

At the other end Charlie Smith got down well to save a Dunipace effort from distance.

After 55 minutes McLean spilled Browns well struck free kick and as Hall looked to be favorite to knock the ball into the net he was robbed of a debut goal as a Pace defender knocked the ball over his own bar.

Vale were still on top and McNaught surged forward but his pass inside to the unmarked Brown was a fraction too far infront and the chance went a begging.

In the 65^th minute Browns free kick saw Wardle crash a header off the bar and then McKenzie send a looping header just over the bar.

For the final 20 minutes Dunipace mounted an all out assault on the Vale goal in search of an equalizer but Vale were in no mood to conceded anything as they held firm. In the final minute it took a great stop from Charlie Smith to ensure that Vale held onto the three points.