Forres Mechanics visited Princess Royal for the first time this season being one of only two sides in the league, which Vale had yet to get the better of this season.
With the Mosset Park side already out of the running for the league title, Manager Gordon Connelly took the opportunity to rest a few of his first team regulars including strikers Gary Ross, Andy McLeod and Charlie Brown. Forres, winners of the League Cup last season at the hands of Vale, have also made it through to the Semi-Final stage again this season when they will play hosts to Cove Rangers for a place in the showpiece final on the 12th of May. The home side looked to this fixture as very much a 'must win game' as they aimed to close the four-point gap on Fraserburgh.
Manager Gregg Carrol was delighted with his side's performances over Huntly and Keith but elected to make a change to the starting eleven who did the business on Saturday by bringing back Ian Murray to the left side of midfield at the expense of Derek Craigie, who dropped to the bench.
As the game got underway More was first to try his luck with a dipping volley, which crept past McRitchie's far post with the big keeper rooted to the spot. Connelly responded for the visitors with some neat play out on the right touchline to beat Montgomery 'all hands down' but Henderson was on hand to clear the danger. Chisholm took off down the left flank before crossing to Watt but the latter couldn't divert the ball on target under the close attention of Grigor. Dolan found acres of room as he ran at the Mechanic's defence but his drive was well off target. More should have done better when picked out by Chisholm's headed knock down 6 yards from goal but the winger blasted high over when it looked easier to score.
Vale eventually got the break through their play deserved on the quarter hour. Montgomery's free kick was missed by everyone except CHISHOLM who ghosted in at the back post to steer a powerful header by the helpless McRitchie. Montgomery was desperately unlucky not to double Vale's advantage minutes later when he played a one two with More at the edge of the area before side footing the ball past McRitchie only to see the ball come back off the upright and fall to safety. Space opened up in front of Urquhart as he ran at the Forres goal but his drive was well wide of the far stick. The same player was then caught late off the ball and had to leave the pitch for treatment before being able to continue. Thompson was called into action for the first time late on in the first half saving well from Murphy's downward header before thwarting Whyte' s well-hit drive at the second attempt. The visitors proved that they weren't just there to make up the numbers when Whyte headed over the top from a set piece on the stroke of half time.

Vale kicked off the second period and had loud appeals for a penalty kick turned down by the far-side linesman who claimed a chest was used by Grigor rather than a hand as the defender attempted to clear an awkward More cross. Henderson then got free of his marker to meet a Kinghorn corner only to head straight at McRitchie.
Nicol then headed over the top when well placed to score from Watt's centre as Vale looked for the all-important second. Watt was next to pass up a good opportunity for the home side when McRitchie's clearance rebounded off his back but the pint size striker rushed his shot and the keeper was able to save easily.
Vale were made to pay for their missed chances when Forres equalised on the hour mark. Roy flicking home a low cross from the right past Thompson from 10 yards. Thompson was then forced to touch a Wood drive round his left-hand post as the visitor's found a new lease of life following their equaliser. Back came Vale and Nicol was unlucky to see his effort go agonisingly across the face of goal and harmlessly out for a goal kick before Montgomery hit the woodwork for the second time when his free kick was completely missed by McRitchie only for the ball to hit the cross bar on its way over the top.
Chisholm found himself free 15 yards out but he couldn't direct his header on target from substitute McAllister's cross. Hayden, Murphy and Connelly found their way into referee McKay's book as the pressure mounted on the visitor's goal. Vale won a succession of corners but couldn't find an opening through a well-organised Mechanic's defence marshalled by Player Manager Gordon Connelly.
With only seven minutes left on the clock the home side finally got the breakthrough their constant pressure deserved. CHISHOLM was the man on target again when he met Dolan's driven cross and glanced the ball past McRitchie which went in off the back post.
Forres refused to lie down and back they came at the home side only to level the match four minutes later. The Vale defence failed to clear their lines and eventually as the ball came back in from the right Murphy bulleted a header past Thompson from close range.
The home fans were distraught until IAN MURRAY popped up in injury time to snatch all three points for the Banffers, firing high into the roof of the net from an acute angle to send the home crowd into ecstasy.
Manager Gregg Carrol although pleased with the final outcome of the match was disappointed with his side's defending for both of the visitor's goals. He also pointed to a glaring hand ball by a Forres player prior to them scoring the second equaliser, which was missed by the officials and could have cost his side dearly.
Carrol did praise his players for digging deep and battling right to the bitter end to secure all three points and close the gap at the top to just one point.
The sponsors Man-of-the-Match went to two-goal hero Mark Chisholm for the second time in consecutive matches.