"It wasn't pretty but we'll take it" was Gregg Carrol's thoughts on Vale's nervy victory at Wick's Harmsworth Park on Saturday, which saw them extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
Carrol went on to say, "they had a game plan which frustrated us for long spells in the match but once we made the breakthrough the game changed and we could easily have added to our goal tally. I changed out Mikee (McKenzie) as Wick were doubling up on him and it gave them a different problem to deal with and it seemed to help change the outcome of the match and what can I say about Murray's winner - it was top drawer, worthy of winning any game".
The Banffers had to scrap their way to victory over an Academy side who had plenty of bodies behind the ball at all times and it took a sublime Ian Murray freekick to win the game ten minutes after the 'wee man' had returned to Vale's line-up when he replaced Mike McKenzie.
The "Scories" were looking for their first victory over the league favourites since the Year 2000 but were minus their inspirational captain, Martin Gunn, who missed out through a leg injury. The thirty plus hardy travelling support saw, as expected, Robbie Brown return to Vale's line-up in place of Terry Kidd as they kicked off down the slope and with the strong wind at their backs.

Vale eased their heavy legs into the encounter with very little in the way of action during the first twenty minutes but the game sprung into life when Wick's Andrew Macleod rose above the visiting defence at a corner kick to power a header goalwards from close range but James Blanchard was equal to it; clawing it to safety high towards his left-hand post.
The visitors responded and Steve Dolan headed over at the other end after good running from the tireless Ross McWilliam down the right.
Mark Chisholm did just enough to force sponsor's man-of-the-match Gavin Henderson's drive around the post but the "Scories" failed to make the resulting corner count.

Paul McCallum was yellow carded for a high challenge on Robbie Brown as the Vale midfielder tried to waltz through the packed Wick defence. Mike McKenzie very nearly made it double trouble for the homesters when he flashed the resultant free kick inches past Don MacMillan's right-hand 'rusty' looking upright.
With just four minutes remaining in the first period Paul Urquhart had the Banffer's first effort on target with a pot-shot from 12-yards but Alex Lamb headed clear ahead of his keeper.
Jamie Watt then hooked over at the back stick after MacMillan could only parry a wicked Steve Dolan corner into the lurking striker's path.

Dolan's cross from the bye-line was well intercepted by MacMillan before it could find its way to the waiting Ross McWilliam and as Wick broke quickly James Blanchard got down well to save at the second attempt from Nigel Mackenzie who had volleyed low towards the keeper's right- hand post from the edge of the box.
A brilliant clearance off his own goal-line by Andrew Macleod denied Paul Urquhart who looked favourite to score when he ran in on Ross McWilliam's low centre, which had already taken out Don MacMillan in the home goal.
Academy thought they had grabbed the lead when Craig Shearer headed into the net from a bye-line cut back but the ball had already gone out of play much to the relief of the worried looking "Valley Crew".
Paul Urquhart had a decent chance deep inside the Academy six-yard box but couldn't get the ball out from under his feet in time before the Academy defence could clear.
Ian Murray replaced Mike McKenzie with half an hour left and immediately set up Jamie Watt with a cushioned header into his path but Alex Lamb blocked at the vital moment as Jamie drove in at goal.

Referee Graeme Fraser, who it has to be said wasn't having one of his better games, continuously blew unnecessarily for petty fouls in a match which was screaming out for the advantage rule to be applied and a little common sense but Mr Fraser wasn't for changing even although both sets of fans were continuously 'down his throat' as he frustrated the starved 'flowing football' supporters.
However one decision, which was awarded, to the visitors, by the man in the middle turned out to very vital indeed.
Paul Urquhart was fouled from behind right on the edge of the 'D' and substitute Ian MURRAY stepped to send a beauty over the defensive wall and well out of the reach of Don Macmillan to make sure of all three points for the league leaders.
Jamie Watt then knocked a Ross McWilliam cross into the path of Mark Smith but it was well cleared by the hard working home defence before Ian Murray headed wide with the goal at his mercy after substitute Graeme Watt had picked out the diminutive striker with a fine cross from the left.
Vale held on to pick up another crucial three points and with just five games remaining the Banffers have it in their own hands if they are to go on and win the league title for the second time in three seasons.

Vale:
Blanchard, Dolan, Gilbert, Chisholm (Cpt), Dlugonski, #Brown, McWilliam (G. Watt 85), Smith, McKenzie (Murray 61), J. Watt, Urquhart (Craib 90)
Subs not used: Noble, Munro

Wick Ac:
MacMillan, #Sinclair, #McCallum, Macleod, #Lamb, Cowie, Henderson (Sutherland 77), Shearer, Mackenzie, #Coghill, Farquhar (Manson 72)
Subs not used: Weir, More
Manager: Alistair Budge

Referee:  G. Fraser