Albert went into the game on the back of a win against lowly Newmains while the Vale, devoid of any confidence and on their worst run of the season, were on a run of four league defeats in a row.

However, the differences in form did not show in the first half, with the teams tied 0-0 at half time.

Unfortunately for Hugh Hamill and his Vale side, that all changed in 19 second half minutes as the hosts netted three times to claim all three points.

In the 55th minute a long ball through the middle of the Vale defence beat the visitors’ offside trap and David Dickson stabbed home a right foot effort from 12 yards Ten minutes later things went from bad to worse for the Vale as they failed to clear a free kick from the right wing, allowing Albert defender Fraser Stobie to volley home from close range.

Royal Albert then sealed the points in the 74th minute from the penalty spot.

Another long ball through the middle beat the Vale defence and when keeper Charles Smith raced out of his goal, he could do nothing more than collide with Dickson just inside the box.

Referee Rodney Marshall pointed to the spot and sent off Smith and Stobie made no mistake from the spot to score his second of the day.

Vale return to action on Wednesday when they host Rutherglen Glencairn in the third round of the Central League Cup.

Vale of Leven: Smith, Nugent, Lacy, Wilson, Monaghan, Cowan, Crowhurst, McGeachy, Brown, Pawsey, McNaught (Martin).

Unused subs: Arthur, Ward.