Vale chalked up their third league win in a row at Allan Park with a comprehensive victory over hosts Cove Rangers, although the four nil margin could so easily have been more had it not been for the in-form Van der Dehl between the sticks for the home side.
Cove finished the match with only ten men when debutant midfielder Gary Clarke was ordered off late in the first half for a dangerous tackle on Vale's Mark Chisholm but the home side could have fielded twelve and still struggled to cope with the visitors' strength and power as they romped home another three points.
The visitors had travelled to the 'Granite City' looking for all three points in what usually is a close game at Cove's tight Allan Park but came away thoroughly deserving their victory against a home side sadly lacking in confidence and passion.
Cove, who were dumped out of the Qualifying Cup at Fort William the last Saturday, were in desperate need of some home comfort but never really tested Vale number one Ross Bremner throughout the whole of the ninety minutes in a rather one sided affair.
Vale's dynamic defensive duo of Scott Anderson and Bryan Dlugonski returned to their usual places after missing out last week while Stuart Gray dropped to the bench to make way. Robbie Brown served his final game of his five-match ban with Gregg Carrol's men reverting back to their familiar 4-4-2 formation.

An early snap shot from Cove's Nick Gordon sailed past Bremner's right-hand post in the first chance of the game but it was one of only two real openings carved out in the first period by the home side. Vale's response was immediate when Dolan darted down the left only to see his cross blocked for a fruitless corner. Bremner had to race from his line to smother a couple of long balls before Dolan went on another raid down the left only this time the defender exchanged passes with Chisholm before entering the Rangers penalty box but the home defence managed to block "Dippy's" effort for another wasted flag kick.
Dolan, obviously buoyed from his rare goal last weekend, then brought out a fine save from Van der Dehl when the on loan Dundee keeper showed a strong hand to divert the Vale defender's well-placed drive past his left-hand post.
The visitors deservedly took the lead after eighteen minutes when Ian MURRAY slipped to ball beyond Van der Dehl and out of the reach of the scrambling back Kevin Allan after good work by Terry Kidd at the edge of the eighteen-yard box set up the chance for Murray's eighth of the campaign.

Levi Stephen, who had another fine game for the Banffers, flicked a header just past before Mark Chisholm came even closer also with a header which was expertly saved by Van der Dehl. Not surprisingly Vale went two-up minutes later when Darren McALLISTER knocked the ball home from a tight angle after Mike McKenzie had seen his great turn and shot from 18-yardscome back off the foot of the post to land kindly at the scorer's feet.

Great forward play between Murray and McKenzie saw Van der Dehl produce another fine stop to prevent the earlier scoring his second of the afternoon from close range as the rampant reds kept up the momentum.
Cove came back into the game and should have pulled a goal back when new signing Gary Clarke headed wide from 6-yards when picked out by Mike Beattie's deep cross.

Bryan Dlugonski's powerful header off a Darren McAllister corner was well held by Van der Dehl on the goal line as Vale went looking for the vital third.
With only five minutes of the first half remaining Gary Clarke was shown a straight red by referee Eric Robertson for a reckless challenge on Vale's Mark Chisholm, who also had to leave the field for some much-needed attention to his injury.
Only a timely headed clearance off his own goal line from Ritchie Livingstone prevented Cove going in at the break three down when Levi Stephen's knock down looked to be heading straight for the lurking Darren McAllister inside the 6-yard box following another raid into the home box from Steve Dolan.

Mike McKenzie fired just over with a rasping drive after good link-up play between him and his strike partner, Ian Murray.
Cove were awarded a freekick in a dangerous position 20-yards from goal but Vale's defensive wall did their job and blocked substitute Craig Yeats' effort to safety. The game started to go into a lull with both sides knowing where the points were heading but ex-Vale midfielder Mark Smith wasn't giving up that easily and the tireless working youngster fired just over from a good 30-yards.

Kevin Allan had to head off the line following a great piece of individualism from Mike McKenzie inside the Rangers penalty box before Murray was denied his second of the match when a last ditch tackle by Flaws was timely as well as precise.
Mike McKENZIE converted an 80th penalty to seal Vale's emphatic victory when substitute Paul Urquhart was knocked over inside the Cove box by the unfortunate McHattie when looking to latch onto a Stephen threaded pass.

Gregg Carrol gave young Graham Watt, son of former Vale legend Zain Watt, the last ten minutes when he replaced Darren McAllister and the local lad showed some good touches down the left wing as Vale cruised the remaining minutes of the encounter.
Ross Bremer had to make a rare save as the game moved into injury time but the big keeper made it comfortably as he kept his third clean sheet in as many games

Gregg Carrol was again delighted with his player's performance and attitude in what could have been a tricky fixture for the Banffers.
"The players applied themselves well and deservedly took the three points in what could have been a difficult match. I told them before kick-off that we didn't want to lose the first goal and once we got our noses in front there was only going to be one winner".
Carrol added "Cove are going through a rough patch but they still have players who can hurt you so it was important that we kept our concentration throughout the ninety minutes".
"Chis (Mark Chisholm) might be sore tomorrow but we won't know until later in the week if he's ok for next Saturday having said that we have cover and the added bonus of the available again Robbie Brown for another difficult fixture against table-leaders Clach next weekend".

Vale:
Bremner, Dolan, Pressley (Gray 80), Chisholm (Urquhart 50), Dlugonski, Anderson, McAllister (Watt 80), L. Stephen, McKenzie, Murray, Kidd
Subs not used: Campbell, Rae

Cove:
Van der Dehl, #McHattie, Livingstone, Flaws, Allan, ##Clarke, #Mullen (McCraw 46), Smith, Gordon (Yeats 46), Beattie, Brown
Subs not used: Valla, Cheyne, Robb (GK)

Referee:E. Robertson (4)