East Kilbride took an early lead, netting after just six minutes, however, first half goals from Alan Brown and David McNaught gave the Vale the advantage at the break and McNaught secured the points with his second goal of the game, in the second half.

Manager Hugh Hamill was pleased with the victory and said: “It was pretty windy and East Kilbride’s pitch isn’t the best so it wasn’t exactly conducive to flowing football but we dealt with the conditions and it was good to get the win.

“Although we were probably dominant, we were always wary of conceding and knew we had to hold on, particularly in the second half when we were playing against the wind.” The Vale got off to the worst possible start when a left foot strike from Jamie McLeod put them 1-0 ahead after six minutes.

But the Vale fought back, and just five minutes later, Alan Brown struck a trademark free kick which gave the East Kilbride keeper no chance and the scores were level.

The Vale created a number of further first half chances and shortly before the break Scott Arthur drove down the left wing before cutting inside and firing the ball goalwards, the ball cannoned off the East Kilbride keeper’s chest and David McNaught was on hand to put Vale ahead.

The front two combined again to similar effect in the second half when Arthur sent McNaught through on goal and he lofted the ball over the East Kilbride keeper into the net to put the Vale 3-1 ahead.

Although the hosts hit the post late with an effort from a narrow angle, the Vale did enough to hold onto the points.

The two teams meet again this Saturday in the West of Scotland Cup when Hamill is hoping for a similar outcome, he said: “Saturday’s match was played in horrible conditions and it was hard to get the ball down.

“Hopefully this coming Saturday we will see more football but the same result would be nice.” Vale: Smith, Wardle, Lacy (c), Wilson, McGeachy, McInnes (Stillwell), Docherty, Martin (Willis), Martin, Arthur, McNaught.