What a comeback from Deveronvale as Steve Dolan’s men recovered from being two goals down inside the first 10 minutes to record a first league win since December 17.
Four goals were scored in a frantic first half with Gary McNamee and Kris Duncan scoring in the sixth and ninth minutes to give the Maroons the perfect start.
The Banffers were on level terms by the interval with goals from Callum Murray and Paul Sutherland.
With four minutes left Dane Ballard headed the winner from six yards much to the delight of the home supporters and said: “I should have scored earlier than I did as I missed one just before half-time, so it was good to make amends with an important goal.
“It was a great ball in from our new signing James McLaren and I was in the right place to head it in.
“We’re all delighted to get a long overdue win.
“As the weeks have been going by we have been playing well without picking up the results, today we lost two goals right at the start of the game giving us time to come back.”
Vale listed new signing from Rothes, attacker McLaren, who was signed on Friday night, on the bench where he was joined by four of the Banff club’s transfer-listed players and midfielder Bradley Manson, who has already signed a re-contract to join Keith.
In the second minute Grant Noble almost opened the scoring for the home side but his well-struck drive from the edge of the box flew a yard wide of the upright.
The visitors opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Stewart Hutcheon’s deep cross picked out McNamee and his powerful six yard header flew past Grant Pennet in the Vale goal.
Three minutes later the Maroons doubled the advantage. James Brownie’s effort was blocked by Pennet but the rebound went straight to former Vale favourite Duncan who netted from eight yards off the inside of the post.
Deveronvale were reeling and had to score the next goal to have any chance. They did it in the 21st minute when full back Lewis Dunbar played in on-loan Buckie Thistle youngster Callum Murray, who tapped the ball home at the back post from a couple of yards.
Michael Ewen really should have restored Keith’s two-goal advantage, but with only Pennet to beat he shot well wide from 12 yards.
Vale were back on level terms seven minutes from the break when Paul Sutherland ran on to Grant Noble’s pass and beat David Dey with a 10-yard angled drive.
The Maroons introduced Cammy Keith on the hour mark and, with 15 minutes to go, Keith substitute Max Berton forced a magnificent flying save from Pennet from a ferocious 20-yard free kick.
Deveronvale were not to be denied, however, and with just four minutes remaining notched the winner when substitute McLaren picked out Ballard with a free kick and the former Fraserburgh forward beat Dey with a header from six yards out.
Keith attacker Kris Duncan said: “We started the game really well but took our foot off the pedal a bit. When we went 2-0 up I thought we would have pushed on but we didn’t, we let them back into the game.”
