Vale made it three wins out of three at Millburn on Wednesday with this close fought battle over Greenock. Three up and coasting at the interval Vale took their foot off the pedal and allowed the Tail o' the Bank side back into the game and had they scored their second goal earlier than the last seconds then Vale could have been in trouble.

The home side had to change the side that defeated Port Glasgow with Scott McKernan struggling due to illness, his place went to Bryan Boal who was returning after holidays. BOAL got his side off to the perfect start by heading home from close range despite the efforts of keeper Monk to keep the ball out after only 2 minutes.

Vale increased their lead after 17 minutes when Ward won the ball and released Boal who raced into the box only to be chopped down by McIlvogue for penalty. Up stepped HUGH WARD who made his usual competent job from the spot.

It seemed that Vale were in complete control of the game but a moments slackness allowed Greenock to assert their authority. Rogers rushed a clearance to Brown who in turn lost possession and when the ball was played into the box Dow curled a clever shot around Rogers but the ball rebounded from the keepers far post to Black who saw his point blank effort saved by the Vale No.1.

On the half hour mark Boal had a chance to put Vale further ahead when he collected Deeley's pass and made a great run down the right but with the inrushing Smith awaiting his cut back he took a touch too many and Monk took the ball off his toes.

With three minutes remaining of the first period Vale got the crucial third goal when Hunter and Ward combined to find Boal on the right, his pace took him into the box and his delightful chip into the middle was met perfectly by the head of GRAEME McKENZIE who sent his header high into the net.

Greenock grabbed a lifeline two minutes into the second half when the attacking Ward lost possession and when the visitors broke swiftly Black's pass was swept home by DOW. Brian Smith came close to restoring Vale's three goal margin but his header from Browns corner narrowly missed the target. Once more Vale gave the ball away in attack allowing Greenock to break, Sweeney thought he had pulled another goal back after 65 minutes with a curling shot that seemed destined for the postage stamp corner but somehow keeper Rogers leapt to tip the netbound shot over the bar.

Vale still continued to press and Boal worked a one two with Ward but with only the keeper to beat he mishit the ball into the arms of the keeper.

With the match into stoppage time Greenock's persistence paid off with a second goal, this time BLACK converting from the spot after Deeley was guilty of leaning into Sweeney. Seconds later the full time whistle sounded much to the relief of the Vale support.