Although skipper Mark Chisholm grabbed his 20th goal of the campaign after 18 minutes to put the visitors ahead, the 10 men of Cove turned things around with two goals inside 60 seconds to get their own league aspirations back on track after a midweek defeat at reigning champs Keith.

Left-back Richie Livingstone equalised with a stunning strike from 30 yards and ex-Vale striker Barrie Stephen won the game a minute later also with a fine shot low across James Blanchard following a slick move down the right started by sub Jake Strachan.

Former Rangers defender Scott Fraser was the second player to be sent off midway through the second period, which evened things up at 10 men a-piece after Eric Watson of Cove's foolish red card after just three minutes for getting involved in an off-the-ball altercation between Keith Robertson and Kevin Tindal.

Both sides were desperate for the three points as they chase league leaders Buckie Thistle, who have opened up a small point advantage at the summit of the table.

Vale's Paul Munro came close to scoring an own goal within 90 seconds when he stuck out a leg at Martin Johnston's head flick, but Blanchard quickly moved his feet before pouncing on the ball on his line.

Three minutes in and Cove were reduced to 10 men. Watson saw red for his part in the melee which also saw Kevin Tindal, Mark Chisholm and Bryan Dlugonski all cautioned.

After 11 minutes, Paul Urquhart played in Mike Ewen behind the Cove defence, but Lee Windrum rushed from his line to save, while at the other end Blanchard denied Barrie Stephen with a low save to his right.

Kevin Tindal fired high over the top for Cove, following a set-piece before Jamie Watt headed harmlessly wide.

Blanchard saved from Stephen again, a carbon copy of the earlier effort, before the Banffers grabbed the lead after 18 minutes.

Gary Clark played Mike Ewen in on goal and as his clever lob came back off the post, Mark Chisholm was perfectly placed to smash the ball under Windrum for his 20th goal of the season.

A huge kick from Windrum then had Allan Stephen unsure of his whereabouts but central defensive partner Scott Fraser was on hand to thump clear before Jamie Watt could pounce.

Ewen tested Windrum with a volley at the back stick which the keeper parried, just after Keith Robertson's effort had been blocked to safety by the home rearguard.

Cove suffered a further blow when Grant Fraser was forced out of the game with a head injury. He was replaced by Jake Strachan as John Sheran re-arranged his formation for the second time in the match.

The home side equalised with a goal out of nothing in 39 minutes, when Richie Livingstone caught a ball out of defence perfectly in his stride and sent it low into Blanchard's left-hand corner from fully 30 yards.

Deveronvale's Keith Robertson is flat out on the pitch as players mill round the referee, clearly waving the red card which dismissed Cove's Watson after just three minutes on Saturday.

Just as the Cove fans were settling down, they scored again a minute later.

This time it was a well worked move down the right, Strachan feeding Stephen, who finished well with his right boot, firing across Blanchard and into the far corner from just inside the penalty area. The second period was not quite as full of excitement as the first, and became a scrappy affair with three further bookings for the visitors, and the sending off of Scott Fraser.

Chisholm was the main goal threat for the Reds up until Fraser's dismissal and he moved into defence.

Chiz was denied by the very impressive Windrum five minutes after the break when he rose to meet Steve Dolan's cross.

Before he left the field, Scott Fraser headed over from a decent position.

Windrum made the points safe for the home side with a blinding save to thwart Mark Chisholm.

He looked sure to equalise as he placed his header into the corner of the net – only for the former Hearts stopper to somehow divert the ball to his left, and then Clark Bain denied Ewen from scoring from the rebound with a timely block.

John Coutts replaced Paul Munro as Gregg Carrol moved things around, but it was the other Coutts – Paul who looked more likely to make the next goal when he burst out of defence, made his way into the Vale box and just failed to pick out Martin Johnston with his low centre.

Coutts then forced Blanchard into a decent stop low at his near post with a similar run down the left flank.

With time starting to run out, Gary Clark flashed a free kick inches wide while Blanchard used his body well to block Watt as he bore down on goal after taking a pass in his stride from sub Kevin Webster.

In the final minute, Vale had two last chances.

John Coutts fired wide when well placed at the far post, and inside injury time Windrum did it again, this time diving to his left to stop Clark's drive forcing an equaliser for the visitors, after good play from Ewen.

Deveronvale: Blanchard, Dlugonski, Munro (Coutts 64), Chisholm, S. Fraser, Stephen, Urquhart (More 73), Clark, Ewen, Robertson (Noble 84), Dolan.

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