A one-all draw was probably the correct result for this encounter at PRP, which kicked off early (12.30pm), to allow the fans to watch Scotland's pulsating victory over the Ukraine in the Euro Qualifiers. 

While discussing the Jags' prospects over a pre match beverage, the unanimous opinion of our group was that a draw would be acceptable there and then, before a ball was kicked, although it was, of course, essential that the players go for the win.

After ninety minutes at PRP, a draw was probably the correct outcome, as neither side was able to create too many clear cut chances over the piece.

With both Jamie Shewan and "Tich" Davidson with possible mid to long term injuries, the full back berths were both up for grabs and Brian Neill, along with new boy, Bob Duncan, signed from Cove Rangers in midweek, stepped up to the plate, to coin a baseball metaphor.

The home side got the game underway, but after their initial attack fizzled out, the Jags began to raise the ante, pushing forwards in numbers and a foul on Stephen "Marra" Bruce, allowed Brian Neill to centre a searching free kick, which was played behind by Vale's Allan Stephen, for a corner, which brought no advantage.

Thistle continued pressing, but despite their excellent lead up play, they seemed unable to find that killer ball into Craig MacMillan or "Marra", as they made their respective runs.

With 15 minutes played, a hefty challenge on former jags favourite, John Coutts, by Andy Matheson, saw the popular midfielder yellow carded, somewhat severely, it appeared.

The Banffers, who had reverted to route one stuff, picked out former Jags youth player, Mike Ewen, but a daring race from goal saw the Thistle keeper foil the youngster, who appeared to bottle it, shooting early and wide of target.

In the 19^th minute, a pass from Kevin Small found Craig MacMillan in the clear and he scampered for the bye-line, before sending over a low, driven cross, with which Tony Low just failed to connect.

The mercurial winger had appeared, from an early stage to be suffering from a hamstring injury which obviously precluded him from stretching overly far for the cross, but he laboured on, regardless.

Midway through the first period, MacMillan noticed Blanchard, the Vale ‘keeper was well off his line, so took the opportunity to launch a 40 yard effort, which unfortunately cleared the crossbar by a considerable margin, as the Jags fought to take the lead.

Barely two minutes later, this was achieved, when a n excellent run on the left, leading to a pinpoint cross by Tony Low, picked out CRAIG MACMILLAN on the far apex of the Vale 6 yard box and he turned before majestically crashing home the ball past the startled Blanchard, to send the big Buckie contingent rapturous.

This counter galvanised the PRP side into action and only a spell of composed defensive play held them at bay, Mark Chisholm ultimately firing the ball high over the crossbar, from 12 yards.

Ten minutes from the interval, an excellent diving save by Kev Main denied Ewen an equaliser, as the Banffers turned up the heat, but the Jags easily cleared the flag kick danger.

In 38 minutes, Tony Low had to eventually admit defeat and was replaced by Mark Hamilton, limping off disconsolately, to an appreciative hand from the crowd.

Buckie continued to push forward at every opportunity and a measured ball from Small picked out Marra, near the edge of the ‘Vale penalty area, but Blanchard's race from goal must have distracted the Jags front man, who failed to get his shot on target, from a tight angle.

With a 0-1 advantage, Thistle got the second half underway, but again, ‘Vale showed earlier, Garry Clark heading a Dolan cross over the top in 47 minutes.

Thistle immediately came upfield and Hamilton took a pass from MacMillan before crossing into the crowded Deveronvale ‘box, but Graeme "Spider" Stewart's side footed effort from 10 yards went straight to the thankful Blanchard.

In the 56^th minute, Spider and Marra combined well on the right, allowing the latter to cross low and hard into the ‘vale ‘box, but just as MacMillan prepared to pull the trigger, a home defender managed to boot the ball behind for the relative safety of a corner kick.

On the hour mark, David Macrae copied Marra, sending a penetrating ball into the ‘box, only for a red shirted player to hack it clear, as Thistle went hell for leather for a second goal.

Midway through the second half, new signing, Bob Duncan, who had been in limbo at Allan Park, since August, before taking his chance to sign for the Jags, took a heavy knock, requiring touchline treatment from Eddie Reid.

It threatened to overshadow the debutant's excellent first performance in the hoops, but he returned to the field of play within a few minutes.

Deveronvale managed to draw level with fifteen minutes remaining, when MARK CHISHOLM, who had as usual, been a constant thorn in the flesh of the Jags defence as he chased every lost cause, or high ball into the area, popped up at the far post to head home, unchallenged, as the Jags defence looked on.

It was only the home side's just dessert, for they had been threatening to do just that for several minutes before the goal was scored.

Both sides appeared satisfied with their afternoon's exertions thereafter and neither goalie was seriously tested, although just at the death, Mike Ewen threatened to race in on goal, until a last ditch challenge by Bob Duncan denied him shot on goal, at the expense of a corner, which the Jags defence cleared safely.

All in all, not a full 90 minutes of excitement, but a deserved outcome for two sides which gave their all.

Vale lineup: Blanchard, Dolan(McKenzie61), Pirie, Chisholm, S Fraser, Stephen(Rrobertson75), Clark, Bremner, Coutts(Urquhart61), Ewen, Dlugonski.

Not used: Kennedy, J Fraser.

ags lineup: Main, Neill, Duncan, MacKinnon, Matheson, Small, T Low(Hamilton37), MacRae, Bruce(A Low86), MacMillan, Stewart(Edmond88). Not used: Angus, Urquhart.

Referee: Mr M Northcroft.