Written by Cameron Wanstall

Vale of Leithen became the first side to experience New Dundas Park under the lights this season - though this was very much a new-look Vale compared to the squad that capitulated when the Rose travelled to Innerleithen last month.

Robbie Horn made seven changes from the team that defeated Broomhill on Saturday, while new Vale manager Grant Sandison was in the opposing dugout as some of his new recruits lined up on the park. Though you’d be forgiven for missing all this as Dean Hoskins' shaved head took all the attention away from the important stuff.

Or it certainly did for those of us in the gantry. Trust me, there were some serious Shaun Rooney vibes - although we all know who the superior wing-back is between the Hampden Hero and the Granton Goose so let’s move on.

The Rose faithful in attendance may have expected a repeat from the trip to Victoria Park, when the ball had to be collected from the Vale net 13 times by goalkeeper Chris Peden, but Robbie Horn’s men were treated to a far more competitive game this time around.

It took 22 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Just for reference, it was 5-0 by this point last time out.

Nathan Evans was the man to ease the nerves of over 500 worried spectators after a satisfying Bradley Barrett and Ross Gray one-two broke down a rigid Vale backline. The former then lashed a cross into the path of Evans, who made no mistake in knocking the ball home.

George Hunter had two gilt-edged chances to double the lead in immediate succession. Hoskins - racing onto a gratifying chip in behind from Lee Currie - fired a cross toward Hunter, who reacted quickly to divert the ball goalward. Defender Ben Brady executed a heroic goalline save but the ball bounced outward back to Hunter, who agonisingly fired over from close range.

Hunter just couldn’t catch a break, really. After letting off a solid strike that looked destined to ripple the back of the net, opposing ‘keeper Kyle Wilson transformed into prime Lev Yashin to leap across the face of the goal and parry the ball clear from danger - earning the shot-stopper a well-deserved round of applause from the staggered Rose support.

A second goal did finally arrive on the stroke of half-time. Ross Gray was scythed down in the area, presenting Currie with an opportunity to score from the spot. The midfielder’s cheeky, low panenka was nearly found out by Wilson, who got a hand to the ball, but still managed to bobble over the line.

In all honesty, nothing much of note happened in the second 45.

Ross Gray came close with a low drive across the face of goal after being slipped in behind by Hunter; Mark Weir superbly smothered a stabbed effort from forward Louie Grahame in a one-on-one situation; Vale ‘keeper Wilson made a few more decent saves to make him the undoubtable man of the match following his sublime stop in the first half.

With 20 minutes still to play, a towering Bob Wilson trademark header forced a strong save after an excellent floated corner cross from Currie found the centre-half. Vale hastily countered and substitute Luke Cormack found himself bearing down on goal, though the forward could only muster up a weak finessed effort that was dealt with comfortably by Weir.

And again, not much else happened. Vale’s improved defence remained resilient despite the two-goal disadvantage, while the rotated Rose outfit were content keeping possession and whittling away at the opponent’s backline as best they could.

That’s three more points picked up and our winning streak extended to eleven. Up next, a first meeting of the season with borderers Gala Fairydean Rovers on Saturday at NDP. See you there.

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