Deveronvale will meet Elgin City in the third round of the Tennents Scottish Cup after they marched past Fraserburgh thanks to two expertly taken goals from their top scorer Mark 'Rusty' Smith.

Smith's brilliantly timed runs into the box saw him firstly net Kenny Gilbert's deep cross to equalise after a disastrous start and a horror own goal from veteran Steve Dolan and then the midfielder turned match and sponsor's man-of-the-match winner when he ghosted into the penalty area to direct a Mike Ewen cross beyond Broch keeper Billy Gordon from 12-yards.

A beaming Gregg Carrol put the victory down to hard work and when he said, "We knew that it was going to be a battle as it was in our previous meetings with Broch this season but on this occasion we matched them in every department. They have an abundance of pace in their side but apart from the opening seven minutes we looked fairly comfortable throughout the pitch although it always looked like the next team to score would win during a hectic second half.
After a nervy opening all my players did exceptionally well and I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision to select a man of the match from them although I suppose 'Rusty's' goals made him the stand out candidate".
On the third round draw Carrol said, "It was quite incredible that we were still in the hat with only six teams left but although we missed out on a trip to Easter Road or Ibrox we have to be happy with a home draw to one of the Third Division sides as it gives us a wee chance to progress; not that we'll be taking Elgin City lightly, they are the senior club and will get all the respect that goes with it on their visit to Banff in January".

A bumper crowd gathered for this mouth-watering cup-tie with both sets of players knowing that the winner takes all and the prize was a place in the third round of the national tournament, which could have resulted in a money spinning tie at one of the clubs from the Premier League or a shot at one of the lower division sides and a chance of some giant-killing glory.

The two sets of noisy supporters greeted the players as they entered the frame with Vale winning the toss and the visitors kicking off on a cold and windy but otherwise perfect day for football.

As the visitors settled the quicker of the sides Michael Stephen found the target with a trademark 25-yard freekick which James Blanchard got across to and saved low to his left. Allan Hale was then clean through on goal but again 'Blanchy' was in a focused mind as he raced from his line to block with his legs.

However disaster struck the homeside and mainly Steve Dolan seven minutes after the start when an up and under into the Vale box got caught in the strong wind and as 'Dippy' attempted to clear Mark Chisholm's initial header under no pressure he inadvertently sliced past a perplexed James Blanchard for the opening goal.

The opener seemed to spur the Banffers on and Mark Chisholm was inches from connecting to Mike McKenzie's deep cross and then Graeme Watt's enticing cross from the left was taken off the toe of Mike Ewen just as he looked to score.

Robbie Brown, who was the subject of several heavy tackles during the first period, had an effort diverted after Kenny Gilbert had played a free kick into the mixer and it was partially cleared to the waiting 'Brooner' at the edge of the area.

Vale's pressure paid off soon after when Kenny Gilbert, who was seeing quite a lot of the ball on the right flank, floated in a deep cross into the Broch penalty box which found Mark SMITH in-between Marc Dickson and Ryan Christie and the powerful midfielder guided the ball with his head well out of the reach of Billy Gordon and into the far corner.

Willie West poked over the top from 8-yards after a Michael Stephen corner was allowed to drop in the Vale box with the home defence ball watching with no one taking control of the situation.

A move straight out of the training ground saw Kenny Gilbert cross to Mark Chisholm following mike McKenzie's free kick but the ball was a few inches too high for the home skipper to get on the end of before Mark Smith's mazy run was ended at the vital moment just as the Vale number 8 looked to get his sights on goal.

Five minutes from the interval Billy Gordon easily held Steve Dolan's free kick and as Vale kept up the momentum Graeme Watt's whipped corner was very nearly headed past his own keeper by Ryan Christie at the near post.

Mark Chisholm came just about as close as you can without scoring when he headed Mike McKenzie's swinging cross against the bar and with Billy Gordon unsure where the ball was Derek Milne was happy to turn it out of play right at the foot of the upright after the strong breeze had blown the ball back into play.

Mike Ewen had a go from distance after a decent turn but the ball ended well wide of the target as the Banffers continued to press.

The visitors then turned up the heat at the opposite end and won a brace of corners which 'Blanchy' and co dealt with admirably.

Back came the home side and Mark Smith went down in the area challenging for loose ball but referee Collum seemed to call it right when he waved away the loud shouts for a pen.
Billy Gordon saved well from Mike McKenzie as he threw himself across his goal to hold the rasping strike before the game was held up for about five minutes as Neil Main was stretchered off after he appeared to fall awkwardly.

Graeme Watt showed great alertness and work-rate when he tracked back into his own box and did just enough to put Kevin Norris off as the experienced midfielder looked to stroke the ball home at the far post following Mike Stephen's reverse pass.

Mark Smith rose well to head another great delivery from Kenny Gilbert goalwards but this time the ball landed on the wrong side of the upright but within five minutes the Banffers were in the lead.

Mike Ewen picked up a ball down the right wing and after waiting his time the young striker sent a super cross into the penalty box. Mark SMITH's timing was immaculate as he met the ball in his stride and headed it into the corner to send the huge 'valley crew' into loud raptures of joy.

Although Broch sent on two fresh strikers for the final ten minutes plus stoppage time and rallied it was Vale substitute Ross McWilliam who had the next opportunity when he was presented with a free header right in front of goal but the winger completely lost the flight of the ball and the chance was wasted.

The hard-working home defence were stout as they protected what they had and opportunities were at a premium for the visitors although time was against them anyhow.

Paul Urquhart passed up a great chance deep into stoppage time when he blasted wide of the target from 6-yards following a Ross McWilliam corner which was only partially cleared by the Broch defence.

Vale:
Blanchard,Blanchard, Dolan, Gilbert, #Chisholm (Cpt), Fraser, #Brown, #Urquhart, #Smith, #McKenzie, Ewen (McWilliam 84), Watt
Subs not used: Bremner, Cowie, Noble, Knight (GK)


Fraserburgh:
Gordon, Milne, #N. Main (McBride 68), #Dickson, #Christie, Johnston, #Norris, West, Hale, S. Main (McLaren 88), Stephen (Wemyss 79)
Subs not used: Elrick, Thomson (GK)

Referee:   W.Collum