Vale bounced back from Wednesday's disappointment to record a convincing victory over Wick Academy at Harmsworth Park and keep them firmly in the title race at the top of the P & J Highland League.
The game was over by the interval thanks to the two Marks, Smith & Chisholm (both following corner kicks) and a wonder strike from substitute Steve Dolan.
Nigel McKenzie pulled one back shortly after the break but Mark Smith completed the scoring late on with his second header of the match to wrap up the points for the hard working Banffers.
The Scorries, sitting at the foot of the table, put plenty of physical effort into the game but were no match for Gregg Carrol's slick passing side who looked comfortable throughout and can now look forward to next Saturday's tough home match against high-flying Fraserburgh.
With Ryan Pressley unavailable due to work commitments and Paul Urquhart injured Kenny Gilbert made his first competitive start for the visitors as Gregg Carrol was forced to change his line-up yet again although he did welcome back Mark Chisholm to the starting eleven, "Chiz" making up a three man defence alongside Mark Slater & Robbie Brown.

Vale kicked off up the Harmsworth slope forcing the play for the first seven minutes before winning a corner on the left.
Mark Slater head-flicked on at the near post and Mark SMITH was on hand to head home past Thompson from 4-yards to give the Banffers the perfect start for the second game running. Reid fired over from distance before Nigel McKenzie just failed to get on the end of a Gunn threaded pass in behind Vale's back three.
The lively Mark Smith forced Thompson to touch his well-hit drive around the post and from the resultant corner Mark Chisholm turned and struck a decent effort goalwards only for his effort cleared off the line by right-back McLeod.
Thompson was called into action again when Jamie Watt got on the end of a deep cross, the deputising keeper tipping the ball over for yet another corner kick.
Mike McKenzie's flag-kick was partially cleared but only to the waiting Mark CHISHOLM and he powered the ball past Thompson and high into the net for his third goal of the season.
Ross Bremner was lectured by referee Baxter for over reacting to a late challenge before Terry Kidd was taken late as the game threatened to boil over.
Kidd came back into the fray after receiving treatment and tested Thompson with a left-footed drive, which was straight down the keeper's breadbin.
Kenny Gilbert's debut came to an abrupt end when he was forced to leave the play clutching his hamstring and was immediately replaced in Vale's midfield by Steve Dolan.
Nigel McKenzie thought he had pulled a goal back for his side when he latched onto a low cross at the back stick but unfortunately for the big striker he could only hit the side netting from 4 or 5 yards.
Terry Kidd was in the wars again ten minutes from the interval when he was crudely scythed down from behind by Martin Gunn's two-footed lunge but again the improving midfielder was able to continue whilst Gunn was lucky to only receive a yellow from referee Baxter.
Six minutes from the break Steve DOLAN scored an early contender for goal of the season when he picked up a loose ball centrally 30-yards out before thundering it past the helpless Thompson into the net to put Vale on easy street.

The second half began in a similar vane to the first when Reid took out Jamie Watt on the halfway line but escaped with only a warning from the rather lenient from the man in the middle.
Nigel McKenzie pulled one back for the home side soon after when he out paced Mark Slater before coolly slotting home past Ross Bremner from 12-yards.
Steve Dolan's short freekick saw Mike McKenzie's pile driver from the edge of the area force Thompson into a fine save high to his left as Vale continued to have the upper hand in the tussle.
The Scorries goal had a lucky escape on the hour when Mark Smith challenged Thompson to a through ball but although McLeod made a hash of his attempted clearance Sinclair was on hand to mop up the danger before watt or McKenzie could pounce.
The hard-working Stuart Gray had a decent chance to open his account for the season but missed an unguarded net from the edge of the area after a mix up between Thompson and Lamb in the Academy defence provided the wingback with a golden opportunity.
Mark SMITH missed another chance for the Banffers when the ball fell to him inside the 6-yard box but the red-haired midfielder made no mistake minutes later when he completed the scoring.
A Steve Dolan freekick on the right was met by the head of "Rusty" and he looped the ball over the outstretched hand of Thompson and into the back of the net from 12-yards.
Mark Slater took a heavy knock with only three minutes remaining and had to be helped off the field of play to mar an otherwise successful afternoons work for Gregg Carrol's side.
Having used all three allocated substitutes Vale played out the remaining minutes with only ten men but still were able to create the last chance of the game when Mark Smith again met a Steve Dolan centre only to put the ball a foot or so past the upright to deny himself the taking home of the match ball.

Gregg Carrol was pleased enough with his sides' performance and was already looking forward to next Saturday's match when he said; "The early goal was just what we needed to settle us down after the long trip and the result on Wednesday night. We controlled the game from start to finish and I cannot fault my players fro their work rate and attitude on the day as they were first class. It's never easy coming here but we made it that bit more comfortable by taking our chances which is pleasing to see as is the way we are spreading the goals about, I believe that's twelve different scorers in something like twelve games".
On next weeks game Carrol said, "They don't come any harder than Broch and they'll be hurting after losing today so it's going to be tough but if we play to our ability then we have a great chance of taking something from the game".

Vale:
Bremner, Dlugonski (Cpt.), Gray, Chisholm, Slater, #Brown, Smith, Gilbert (Dolan 29), McKenzie (Farrimond 81), Watt (Noble 85), Kidd
Subs not used: - Urquhart, Hendry

Wick:
Thompson, McLeod, Lamb, Sinclair, Manson, Reid (Cowie 45), #Gunn, #Shearer (C. Sinclair 90), S. Reid, McCallum (Weir 80), #N. McKenzie
Subs not used: - Henderson, Davidson

Manager: - A. Budge

Referee: B.Baxter