Wick Academy netted a dramatic 94th minute equaliser to earn a point against a Deveronvale side that had led from early in the game.
Robert Scott put the Vale ahead after only nine minutes when he latched on to a Colin Charlesworth cutback to steer the ball into the bottom corner from eight yards.
James Blanchard was starting his first game in goal for more than 18 months as regular Vale custodian Grant Pennet was suspended and he produced some superb stops to deny Alan Farquhar and Jack Halliday to keep the hosts in front at the break.
There was little in the way of clear-cut chances during the second period and just as it looked like Vale would claim the points poor defending cost them as Jonah Martens’ ball into the box wasn’t cleared properly and Jack Henry blasted home from six yards.
Wick manager Tom McKenna was delighted his team claimed something from a game he felt they dominated for long spells during the 90 minutes at Princess Royal Park.
He said: “We started poorly and we weren’t at the races early on but after we fell behind we changed our shape and settled down to take control.
“We pressed for an equaliser but were denied by the goalkeeper who had several fine saves.
“We wanted three points but it looked as though we weren’t even going to get one for our performance but our perseverance paid off and we got our just rewards right at the end.
“We were right down to the bare bones in terms of player numbers but I can’t fault the performance of our lads who came in as they were fantastic.”
Vale manager Steve Dolan was disappointed by his side’s failure to see out the game.
He said: “I thought that we started the game really well after our display last week to go ahead and we should have had a second.
“Not for the first time this season we have lost a late goal by not taking the ball into the corner and they have broken forward and scored. It is poor game management from my players.
“I’m gutted for the lads as we bounced back from a lot of criticism last week (after a 7-2 loss at Nairn County) and they could easily have gone into their shells but they came out and were outstanding for me.
“I had no doubts about James Blanchard coming in as he is a quality goalkeeper while our defending was superb.
“We had to withstand a lot of pressure and it looked as though we were going to get the win until that injury time disappointment.”
