Keith defeated Deveronvale for the first time in eight years at Kynoch Park, leapfrogging the visitors in the league table with a display which thrilled caretaker manager Jim Stables.
He said: “The commitment and desire was great, I was delighted with everybody.
“There was a good atmosphere and it was a good performance. The defence was good, the midfield solid and up front we were excellent.”
The Maroons, looking for a new manager after Gordon Winton’s recent resignation, looked sharp in the first half, although it took until the 33rd minute for them to break the deadlock.
Craig Cormack and Michael Ewen both had attempts blocked before the former pounced at the third time of asking to score his fifth goal of the season.
They doubled the lead four minutes from the break thanks to an excellent diving header from attacker Ewen, ending a 16-game goal drought in fine style.
Cormack was unlucky a few minutes after the turnaround not to capitalise on Vale defensive indecision, but his lob cleared the bar by inches.
Although the Banffers had the bulk of possession in the second half, they failed to create any chances of real note apart from a Gary Harris free kick, and a Scott Henry effort, with Keith goalkeeper Daniel Bell saving both.
A disappointed Vale manager Steve Dolan said: “Keith deserved to win, they looked hungrier and sharper, and our work-rate was poor. The players were well warned before the game, but we huffed and puffed. They have taken the praise for earlier performances, but today we were very poor.”