The new season got underway for the Vale players on Saturday when they opened up their new campaign with a home tie to last seasons bogey side Lossiemouth.
A more than welcome two and a half month break for both players and supporters of the home side after the disappointment at being pipped at the post for the both the League Championship and League Cup back in May.
Gregg Carrol was handed an early season headache when he was left with a depleted squad due to the fact that midfielders Brown, Chisholm, Pressley & Urquhart were all just back from holiday the day before kick-off. Topped with the unavailability of centre-half David Henderson and the suspension of Barry Stephen this left Carrol with very little options when choosing his first eleven for Vale's first match of the season.
On the plus side Vale fielded Ross County defender Dlugonski who slotted into the heart of the home defence alongside new signing, Scott Anderson.
The visitors had ex-Vale player Stuart Cameron in their line-up after completing his close season transfer from Forres with striker Darren Shalliker the danger man for the new look Vale defence to watch out for.
Morrison was first to try his luck once the game got underway but his long ranger dipped a fraction late to worry Speirs in the Vale goal. At the other end Murray broke clear of the Lossie defence but his weak effort was easily saved by Main.
Craigie was unlucky to see his close range header crash back off the crossbar after good work by McAllister on the right. McAllister tested Main but his drive was charged down before reaching the Lossie number one. Cameron's cross had Speirs at full stretch to claw away from goal as the visitors went on a rare excursion upfield. Murray created a great opportunity for himself on the quarter hour but Main did well to divert the pint-sized striker's shot over the top. Murray was then upended as he ran at the visitor's goal but referee Cheyne waved play on much to the dismay of the home following. Scott found some room in behind the Vale rearguard as he hit the bye-line but his cutback found no takers. Murray had another chance to give the Vale the lead but again the inspired Main was quick off his line to block at the striker's feet.
McHardy and Stephen were involved in an off the ball scuffle which saw the Lossie defender appear to head-butt Stephen but after a lengthy chat with the players involved the referee took no action and play continued. Nicol latched on to a loose ball in the visitor's 6-yard box but his cutback failed to find Craigie and the chance went a begging. On the stroke of half-time Shalliker headed straight at Speirs after slipping Anderson to meet a McMullen free kick at the back post.

Nicol saw his header from Montgomery's centre slip past the upright and then a succession of corner kicks from the home side ended when Nicol sliced wide from the edge of the area.
Murray was causing the visiting defence all sorts of problems and was very unlucky not to score when he rounded Main only to see Maguire clear his shot off the goal line. Anderson headed weakly into Main's arms off Vale's 10th corner of the match as the Banffers continued to press for the opener. Murray had another effort cleared off the line this time by the knee of McHardy after the striker had dribbled his way past the visiting defence and keeper before firing goal wards. Lossie broke immediately upfield and almost caught the Vale napping but Speirs saved the day with a good stop from danger man Shalliker's well-struck drive.
Minutes later the visitors shocked the home side by snatching what turned out to be the winner when Scott deflected a Morrison drive past Speirs from close range.
The home side tried in vain to grab a late equaliser but Murray failed to find the net again when his close range shot was deflected wide after Main had dropped a Dolan corner at his feet. Dolan then sliced wide after a nice lay off by substitute Mike McKenzie sent the defender through on goal. Murray had Vale's last chance but fired high over when stretching to connect to a Montgomery pass over the top of the Lossie defence.