The Qualifying Cup was paraded to the fans before the kick-off as the Vale players prepared themselves for yet another cup quest.
Inverurie Locos were visiting Princess Royal Park for the first time in a competitive match and were out to bewitch the home side and make it four wins on the bounce. David Henderson led out the team to mark his 200th appearance in Vale colours.
Barry Stephen and Mark Smith came into the side to replace the injured Robbie Brown and Mark Chisholm.
Watt's deft header off a Smith cross crept past the post as Vale went looking for an early advantage but the visitors weren't overawed by the newly crowned cup holders and at the other end Kinghorn was booked for tugging the shirt of McWilliam as he ran at Thompson's goal. Dolan almost caught out Christie in the Locos goal with a cross-come-shot, which bounced off the crossbar and to safety. A quick break out of defence ended when Montgomery's through pass failed to reach Murray with players piling forward into the Locos box.
Henderson's tackle on Spencer had the visitors screaming for a penalty but the referee waved play on. Pressley came close with a 25 yard drive, which fizzed just past the upright. Dolan's slack defending almost cost the home side a goal but Reid's header was just wide. Christie brought off a good save with his feet as Stephen ran through on goal at the other end Thompson dropped a swirling cross but luckily for the big keeper there were no takers.
Urquhart did well to hold the ball up in the box under pressure but his turn and shot didn't match his initial control and Christie easily gathered the ball. Vale were again caught dithering at the edge of their own penalty are but Spencer couldn't find the target with his attempted chip. On the stroke of half time Park's strong run and drive was inches over Thompson's bar with the keeper well beaten.

Smith found himself clean through Christie's goal at the re-start but his attempted chip was way too short of elevation. Watt then shot well over from distance as Vale stepped up a gear. Murray's free kick carried no threat to the visiting keeper, summing up the out of touch striker's evening. Stephen was booked after a strong challenge in the box by McKay saw the winger take a tumble, the referee claiming that he took dive.
A great pass from Pressley found Smith down the right and his early low cross was met by the in-rushing Murray at the near post. Christie however got down well to turn the ball round his post for a corner. Moments later Murray's header beat Christie only for Park to clear the ball off his own goal line. The visitors took the lead in the 70th minute when Thompson could only parry Spencer's well-hit effort and the striker scored the rebound from 12 yards. Reid almost doubled Locos' lead when he ghosted in at the near post to meet a right hand cross but his diving header was inches past.
Murray almost pulled Vale level with a close range volley, which was deflected for another corner with Christie well beaten. From the bye-kick the ball was again cleared off the line this time from Pressley's close range header. Vale tried valiantly to get the equaliser but it wasn't to be and Locos ran out winners to meet Keith in the semi-finals, leaving the home side to reflect on their first defeat of the season at Princess Royal Park.