Following a two-week lay-off Vale faced another long trip north on Saturday when they travelled to Dudgeon Park to face Brora Rangers. The Sutherland side were in buoyant mood following their excellent point at Cove last week and the visitors would need to be at their best to pick up all three points on a ground where a victory is never an easy one.
Boss Gregg Carrol welcomed back Scott Anderson to the heart of his defence who replaced Nigel Montgomery who dropped to the bench after filling-in for 'Scotty' at Nairn in the Qualifying Cup. Barry Stephen received his first start of the season and took up a berth on the right hand side of midfield.

Vale started the match on the attack and Murray was inches from connecting with an awkward Dolan cross with Fraser, in the Rangers goal grateful to gather the loose ball. Barry Stephen then swung in a deep cross which was headed just wide by the head of Mark Chisholm. Barry Stephen was downed as he ran at the home defence but the visitors failed to take advantage of the resulting set piece. Levi Stephen and Steve Dolan both had efforts, which flew wide of the target as Vale continued to apply the pressure on the home defence.
A rare mistake by Matty Kinghorn at the back almost cost the visitors but the attempted lob by the Brora number nine sailed just over the cross bar much to the relief of Speirs and his defence. At the other end Fraser saved bravely at the feet of Chisholm and injured his knee in the process but after treatment the keeper was able to continue. Vale took a deserved lead after 29 minutes when Fraser could only parry a fierce Chisholm 20 yard drive and Ian MURRAY was on hand to side-foot the loose ball home from 6 yards.
Murray should have doubled his tally five minutes later but he completely missed Dolan's cross in front of goal when it looked easier to score. Speirs was rarely tested but he did have to look lively to collect a long-range effort from Ferries on a rare Rangers attack before Vale went two up. Free scoring Mark CHISHOLM heading past Fraser from close range following a cross from the right from Barry Stephen, which eluded the home defence.
On the stroke of half time Steve Dolan scored what looked to be an excellent solo goal when the defender waltzed past four defenders before lobbing the ball over Fraser from 18 yards. However the Stand-side Linesman had his flag raised for what only could have been for offside against Mark Chisholm, who was quick to follow the ball into the empty net without touching it.

Dlugonski, under pressure, sliced the ball over his own cross bar and then from the resulting corner Speirs had to tip an effort over the bar as the home side started the second period with a bit more urgency.
Minutes later, as Vale broke upfield, they were awarded a penalty kick when Fraser needlessly upended Murray as he chased a Dolan through ball into the box. MURRAY dusted himself down before slotting the ball home from the spot to put the Banffers on easy street.
Murray could have had his hat trick when Dolan played him in on goal but the striker, dawning a new bleached haircut, miscued in front of goal and the chance was gone. Barry Stephen took a heavy knock following a late challenge and was replaced by Darren McAllister. Ian MURRAY did get his third goal of the match after 65 minutes when he finished off an excellent flowing move involving Stephen, McKenzie and Pressley by heading past Fraser from close range.
The noisy travelling support were enjoying their day out in Sutherland and were almost celebrating again when substitute Urquhart broke clear on goal but Fraser spread himself well to thwart the midfielder. Murray saw another chance go a begging when Fraser again did well to keep the score line reasonable by saving the Vale striker's close range effort. Urquhart had another effort cleared off the line as Vale threatened to 'go nap'.
The Brora Number One was in fine form towards the end of the match and twice denied the visiting strike force with fine saves from McAllister and Urquhart.

A comfortable win in the end for the visitors sets them up nicely for their Qualifying Cup Second Round tussle at home to local rivals Buckie Thistle next Saturday.