Wick Academy came from behind to draw 2-2 with Deveronvale in the Breedon Highland clash at Harmsworth Park.
The Banffers were two up at half-time with Michael Watson and Cameron Angus on target.
But after the interval the Scorries battled back with Jack Halliday and Marc MacGregor finding the net.
Wick fielded summer signings Owen Rendall, Owen Harrold, Rob McLean, Gary Pullen, Kyle Henderson and Ross Gunn in their starting line-up.
Deveronvale had two news faces in their eleven in Scott Thomson and Matthew Petermann.
Early action
Both sides started purposefully, but it was the hosts who had the early opportunities.
Gunn flashed in a dangerous cross which evaded every then on six minutes McLean headed from Henderson’s corner from the right down into the ground and it bounced up and clipped the top of the crossbar on the way over.
The Scorries threatened again in the 13th minute when Alan Hughes found Jack Halliday near the left angle of the box and his curling effort was turned away by goalkeeper Sean McIntosh flying to his left.
At the other end Vale’s Michael Watson had a cross-cum-shot held by Graeme Williamson and then Innes McKay headed a Jay Goldie corner over.
Midway through the first period the visitors were on the offensive again with Petermann display good footwork on the right before sending in a cross which broke for Thomson.
The midfielder’s blast from 15 yards looked destined for the net, but Williamson got across to his right to claw the ball away,
On 25 minutes Wick threatened again with Halliday latching onto Hughes pass down the left channel, Vale custodian McIntosh blocked, but Halliday regathered and teed up Marc MacGregor who blazed over with the goal gaping.
In the 40th minute Deveronvale forged ahead when Harry Noble’s free-kick from 25 yards was spilled by Williamson as he tried to catch, which presented Michael Watson with an easy chance to prod home.
A minute later Watson should have doubled his tally. Cameron Angus’ cross from the right came right through to him at the back post but he fired wide from close range.
In first half stoppage time Vale did make it 2-0. Watson released Petermann on the right flank and his low delivery was slotted home by Angus from six yards.
Crucial next goal
The next goal was always going to be important and Wick got it on 53 minutes.
Gunn released Halliday on the right side of the box and his drive was tipped behind by McIntosh.
From the corner that followed Henderson’s inswinging delivery from the right was forced over the line, via the crossbar, by Gunn from close range.
The chances dried up a touch after that with both sides trying to get a grip of the game.
As the contest entered the final 20 minutes Vale sub Jamie MacLellan’s strike from long range whistled just over the crossbar.
In the 76th minute Wick had a penalty shout turned down when Halliday went down under pressure from Jayden Goldie and MacLellan.
At the other end Angus dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box and back came Wick with Halliday’s great footwork giving MacGregor a chance inside the box but he blasted off target with his left foot.
The Scorries were trying to crank up the pressure and eight minutes from time they equalised.
It came from another Henderson corner on the right and MacGregor rose highest to glance a header in off the left post.
Two minutes later Wick almost took the lead. Henderson’s free-kick from 35 yards took a deflection which wrong-footed McIntosh with the ball bouncing against the left post before MacGregor’s rebound was deflected behind.
In the first minute of injury time Deveronvale had a great chance to win it when Ormsby’s low cross from the left wasn’t gathered by Williamson, but Petermann’s scuffed effort drifted off target.
