Deveronvale will face Scottish League Ayr United in the third round of the Scottish Cup but were made to fight all the way against Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Thistle performed heroically with just nine men before Vale's superiority in numbers counted in extra time.

Vale struck first through a close-range Mike McKenzie finish after 16 minutes and home hopes were further hit nine minutes later when Ian Murray was shown a red card after a challenge on James Blanchard.

The official took centre stage again with 20 minutes remaining when he booked Gary McGowan for diving after the attacker had rounded home goalkeeper Kevin Main in the box and was about to score when the custodian pulled the legs from under him.

A clear penalty to all in the ground apart from the referee and this incredible decision gave Buckie renewed hope as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

However, when Bob Duncan saw red for a challenge on Graeme Rodger the nine men looked to be on their way out.  But when substiute Steve Bruce rifled home a 16-yard effort with six minutes remaining Thistle were on the front foot  and could have won it with two minutes remaining when Blanchard denied Chris Angus.

Zander Sutherland then hit the bar three minutes into extra time but Vale gradually began to make their superiority in numbers tell and Gary McGowan eased them in front with a 15 yard effort after 111 minutes before Mark Smith sealed the Banff club's victory with a third counter three minutes from time.

Vale co-manager Stuart Glennie said: "You're in football to enjoy things but sometimes you don't when you get games like that.

"Buckie were excellent and when we had 11 men each we were dominating the game and got ourselves in front.  But you are never comfortable with just a single goal lead and when they went down to nine men and got the equaliser they caused us problems especially in the wide areas."

Buckie manager Gregg Carrol added: "I don't think we had the right to be in extra time because of the players we lost, but we worked hard, we got the goal to take the game into extra time and we could have won it through Chris Angus just after we had drawn level.

"Bob Duncan's sending off was a bit unfortunate because he was having his shirt pulled before he lost possession and dived in to try and win the ball back."

Report by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal