Cammy Keith scored twice during the first half against Deveronvale to help Keith record their second victory in a row to move four points clear of their hosts in the Highland League table on a rainy day at Princess Royal Park.
Deveronvale were looking to record their fifth league win in succession but struggled to threaten Greg Simpson in the Keith goal.
Simpson’s only real save was from his own defender Ryan Spink as the centre back’s attempted clearance was brilliantly touched on to the bar a minute from the break.
Keith manager Dean Donaldson, spectating from the stand as he was serving the first of a three- game ban, said: “I thought that the team to a man were excellent from start to finish.
“We were really comfortable apart from the one chance Vale had when we almost scored an own goal but Greg produced a great save.
“I thought we played very well and I am delighted for the lads.
“Their application in training has been excellent.”
Deveronvale manager Steve Dolan pulled no punches with his after match assessment saying that he could not think of one positive thing to say about the team’s performance.
He said: “Normally you can think of a good pass or a good shot but there were zero positives to take from our 13 outfield players. We were clutching at straws because we were trying shots from 30 or 40 yards when we needed someone to take responsibility.
“But the game went from bad to worse for us right from the start.
“Credit to Keith though as they were excellent, working so much harder than us.
“In the second half they sat in and controlled the game.
“When you win four games in a row you should be confident but we just didn’t turn up on the day.”
Cammy Keith opened the scoring after 11 minutes, heading home from eight yards after a Gregor Macdonald free kick.
The striker picked up his second counter of the afternoon eight minutes from the break, collecting a James Brownie ball over the defence to round Ross Aitken and fire the ball through Grant Pennet’s legs from 10 yards.
