Mike McKenzie became the third Deveronvale player to be sent off so far this short lived season when the blonde-haired striker was shown two yellow cards late in the match. Buckie's Neil Murray was also sent from the field of play when he also picked up a couple of cautions as referee Scott McDonald went card happy towards the end of a scrappy affair which saw John Coutts escape with just a caution for a second half lunge at Danny Craib, by far the worst challenge of the hard-fought game.
McKenzie had earlier snatched a draw for his side when he blasted home a spot kick to equalise after Shaun Scott had given the unbeaten homesters the lead for the second time in the match. Scott's first half strike had Thistle ahead after thirty-seven minutes but Vale fought back and pulled level on the stroke of half time when Mark Chisholm headed a McKenzie deep cross beyond Kevin Main.
It was the least the Banffers deserved after the heartbreak of Wednesday night's Cup final defeat on penalties coupled with another two second-half efforts which came back off the woodwork for the second Saturday running one from Ian Murray and the other from scorer Mark Chisholm.
The result leaves Gregg Carrol's side mid-table but only four points behind early leaders Huntly, although the Banffers are without football for the next two Saturdays, next weekend being their first free date of the season and the week afters' match versus Fraserburgh is postponed due to the Broch's involvement in the Qualifying Cup second round.
Paul Urquhart failed to make the Vale line-up as he struggled with his hip injury once more but Gregg Carrol was able to recall his assistant Kenny Gilbert who returned to the Banffers midfield. Skipper Bryan Dlugonski switched to the left wing-back role and Danny Craib played in the centre of defence as Carrol tinkered slightly with his squad in an effort to pick up a must needed point.
The Jags, who were in confident mood after lifting the Shire Cup, went with the same starting eleven who had done the business at Huntly in midweek and received a rapturous welcome from their fans as they ran onto the lush playing surface.
There was smaller than usual travelling support from Banff probably due to Vale's inability to win any of their last three games but the loyal Valley Crew who were there cheered on the boys and gave their side a warm applause as the sides locked horns for the second time in three days.

Mike McKenzie was booked for tripping Donnie Munro from behind 25-yards out but the ensuing free kick came to nothing.
At the other end Ross McWilliam's cross from the right was completely missed by Angus and Small eight-yards out setting up a half-chance for Ian Murray but the wee striker couldn't quite dig the ball out from under his feet and the chance went a-begging.

Referee Scott McDonald wasn't helping the rather edgy encounter by continuously stopping play for the pettiest of fouls when the game was screaming out for some flowing football.
Mark Chisholm headed a fierce Paul Lamberton drive to safety before John Coutts completely missed the target when clean through on Blanchard with Vale's back three looking rather square for the first time in the match.
Kenny Gilbert was fed through at the other end by Mike McKenzie's defence splitting pass but delayed his strike allowing Kevin Small to get back and clear for a fruitless flag kick. The Vale defence had a huge let off ten minutes from the interval when John Coutts' corner from the left was flicked goalwards by David Angus at the near post but James Blanchard was equal to it although was unable to hold and as the ball bobbled about it was very nearly turned in by Richie Davidson before it was hacked clear.

Robbie Brown lost possession at the edge of the Buckie penalty area as he advanced forward and it was to cost his side dearly.
As the ball was played down the left flank John Coutts sprinted clear and although Mark Chisholm was doing his best to close down the speedy striker Coutts played a super ball across the face of Blanchard's goal to find the inrushing Shaun Scott who muscled his way to meet the ball ahead of Danny Craib and side foot home.
Mark CHISHOLM equalised much to the disproval of the home support when he headed Mike McKenzie's searching ball to the back post past a surprised Kevin Main who seemed to think the ball was going out of play.

John Coutts was a lucky man not to see red for his dangerous challenge on Danny Craib who did the lively striker a big favour by quickly getting up and walking away from the incident before referee flashed a yellow card at the Buckie number ten.

Ian Murray won a soft penalty for the visitors ten minutes from the end when he cut inside David Angus only to fall over the defender's trailing leg. Referee Scott McDonald wasn't Mr popular with the home support when he pointed immediately to the spot and Mike MCKENZIE did the rest with a fine finish high into the net.

In the final minutes substitute Kyle Rae did well to out jump Mike MacDonald to head a Murray deep cross to safety before Mike McKenzie saw red for a challenge on Kevin Small but if the truth was told the defender did Mikee no favours by going down far too easily when there seemed very little contact.
The bungling referee then needlessly sent off Neil Murray for a foul on Bryan Dlugonski in stoppage time when a word in the defender's ear would have been more than suffice as the game was over as a contest with both sets of players happy to take a point a-piece.

An upbeat Gregg Carrol said after his side picked up their first point in three league games, "I'm obviously a lot happier today than of late even though ironically enough we didn't play as well as we have done in recent matches! Having said that not many teams will score two goals at Buckie this season never mind take a point so that's a pleasing aspect. I don't often single out individuals by I thought Rusty (Mark Smith) was back to his best today and showed great work ethic and drive.
The most disappointing part of our play right now is the goals we're conceding which are soft to say the least but we have a fortnight off and perhaps some time to work on these issues".
Carrol refused to be drawn on the sending off of his number nine Mike McKenzie but was hopeful of having Steve Dolan and Paul Urquhart back for their next match which is at MacKessock Park, Rothes in two Saturdays time although obviously McKenzie will sit that one out.