Inverurie Locos lost their 100% record and it could have been worse for them as nine-man Deveronvale hit the post a minute from time but the erratic performance of referee Roddy Cobb was the major talking point.
The veteran official sent off Vale's Paul Urquhart and Gary Clark but Locos captain Tommy Wilson could well have gone first after his scything second-minute tackle on Mike McKenzie.
Locos manager Dave Cormie was clearly frustrated at his side's failure to capitalise on its numerical advantage in a thrilling match.
He said: “Deveronvale hit the woodwork four times so they justifiably got a point, but I am less than happy to only pick up one point against a team which finished with only nine men.
“Kenny Coull scored a good goal with a well-worked set-piece but, other than that, I can only remember James Blanchard having two saves to make, although we did make plenty of chances."
Deveronvale co-manager Scott Anderson chose his words carefully when he said: “We feel very aggrieved. Had Tommy Wilson's tackle on Mike McKenzie not happened so early he would have walked, then Paul Urquhart received a straight red.
“I thought our players were fantastic and we should have won the game before Mark Cowie's late shot hit the post. With the teamwork and effort we displayed we are a match for any side in the league.”
Locos opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Craig Ross nodded the ball back into the six-yard box and Coull showed great instincts to stoop and head home.
Three minutes from the break Inverurie paid the price for only having a three-man wall. McKenzie was 30 yards out wide on the left but when the he hit the ball it whistled high over both the wall and past Andy Reid into the net. When the Vale player ran to celebrate with the supporters he was promptly shown a yellow card.
The visitors finished the game with only nine players after Urquhart was sent off on the half hour mark for what referee Cobb deemed a dangerous challenge.
Clark joined his team-mate after picking up his second yellow for backchat 10 minutes from time.
In the final minute Deveronvale's John Coutts burst clear and when his cross picked out fellow substitute Cowie his 15-yard shot cannoned off the base of the post before being cleared to safety.