Nairn County were the visitors on Saturday as Deveronvale began the first of an epic eighteen-day period, which sees the Banff side play six vital matches. After the encounter with the "wee county" the Vale are scheduled to play at Huntly, on Wednesday evening, followed by four home games against Keith twice, Forres and Cove, the outcome of which will go along way to deciding who's boardroom the Highland League Championship will end next month. Vale's main title challengers Fraserburgh only play twice in the same period allowing the Banffers to catch up on their much publicised games in hand over their Buchan rivals.
Mark Smith has gone off on holiday and Ryan Pressley is still recovering from his operation otherwise manager Gregg Carrol had a full squad to pick from but decided to keep faith with the starting line-up who did the business at Inverness last Saturday.
The visitors kicked off in perfect conditions for football and soon had Barry Thompson at full stretch clawing a Barron deep cross away for an early corner kick. The Vale defence survived the set piece and went straight up the other end to see Stewart, in the Nairn goal, come quickly off his line to thwart Chisholm as the midfielder broke through the visitor's back line. Stewart was called into action minutes later as he dived at full stretch to palm away Dolan's low shot for a corner. More took the kick and found the head of the unmarked MURRAY who opened the scoring from close range.
Thompson gathered at the third attempt as he juggled a Brooks cross dangerously in front of goal with Barron in close proximity. A nice move between Murray and Urquhart saw the latter's drive drift just wide of Stewart's left-hand post. Chisholm passed up a great opportunity when he headed wide when well placed from Murray's centre and then Dolan's free kick flashed past the upright as Vale looked to kill off their opponents. Brown took a heavy knock and was replaced by McKenzie as half time approached. Brooks might have done better when allowed a free header in front of goal but fortunately for the home defence the ball sailed over the top.

Henderson completely miskicked in front of his own goal but Montgomery was on hand to clear the danger. Thompson did likewise gifting the visitor's a corner but the big keeper made amends by plucking the ball to safety from the resulting set piece.
Watt came within inches of doubling Vale's advantage when he clipped Kinghorn's low cross onto the top of the cross bar with Stewart well beaten. Moments later the home side went two up. Montgomery split the Nairn rearguard with a fine pass into CHISHOLM'S path and the midfielder finished in style lobbing the advancing keeper from the edge of the penalty box. Henderson had to look lively to clear the danger as Nairn threatened before Stewart went down under a challenge from Chisholm. Fortunately after some lengthy treatment the keeper was able to continue.
Ewing fell in the Vale box as he jumped with More for the ball but referee Conroy saw nothing untoward and play continued. Watt blasted high over from an acute angle before being replaced by Gary Nicol. McKenzie played More in with a threaded pass but the winger's drive was just wide of the far stick and then Murray saw his effort blocked as Vale looked for a third.
As the full time whistle approached MACLEOD diverted a More driven cross past the helpless Stewart to complete the scoring