INVERURIE Locos needed to go to Banff and secure full points in the hope Cove Rangers would slip up at Mosset Park but in the end it was Deveronvale, scoring in the first minute of normal time and injury time, who kept themselves in the title race.
Mark Chisholm's 91st minute winner proved to be the difference between the sides in one of the finest games of the season.
Deveronvale scored with only 65 seconds on the clock. Locos didn't clear a John Coutts cross and when the ball broke on the edge of the box, Mike McKenzie sent an unstoppable 18 yard drive high beyond Andy Reid via the underside of the bar.
Neil McLean and Craig Ross had chances for the visitors but Vale went two goals up with 17 minutes on the clock. Graeme Watt's cross from the left picked out Mike McKenzie and from eight yards he fired a powerful drive beyond Reid.
James Blanchard pulled off one of the saves of the season to deny Scott Michie. The Vale stopper kept out the striker's effort with a one handed save that stunned the striker who felt sure he had scored.
Locos were right back in it on the half hour mark. Poor Vale defending allowed Michie to cut the ball back for Craig Ross to fire home from ten yards.
They were right back intro the hunt within four minutes of the restart. Mark Chisholm fouled former team mate Mark Smith on the edge of the box and Scott Michie curled the free kick into Blanchard's bottom corner.
Smith then just failed to get onto MacLean's inviting cross before Kenny Gilbert beat Michie in a race for the ball before clearing off the line.
The action was flowing from end to end with Watt hitting the crossbar from 16 yards before Vale grabbed their dramatic winner two minutes into injury time. Mark Cowie released Robbie Duncanson on the right and from his cross Mark Chisholm raced into the box to fire home from eight yards.
Deveronvale: Blanchard, Gilbert, Dolan, Chisholm, D Mackay, Brown (McAllister 77), Cowie, S Mackay, McKenzie (Clark 71), Coutts (Duncanson 77), Watt. Subs not used: Stephen, D McKenzie.
Inverurie Locos: Reid, Park, Bisset (Gauld 71), McKinnon, Simpson, Stewart, Ross, Smith, Michie, Broadhurst (Milne 62), McLean. Subs not used: Graham, Mess, Singer.
Dave Cormie was very philosophical about the way it panned out in the end: "Credit to both management teams. We both realised we had to win the match and both sets of players wanted to do exactly that so I wouldn't say it was a sucker punch.
"Vale deserved to get their winner as we would have deserved to get it had we scored. The good news is for the Highland League that it wasn't a draw.
"I was disappointed my players felt the ball was out for the first goal but we should have dealt with it. But I was delighted with the way we kept our composure. By the time it came to half time it was easy to convince players we had a chance to win the game when we got back to 2-2.
"I felt we let ourselves down. We did not hit home the advantage. We went on the back foot and the Vale hit us. But what a cracking game."
And referring to the contribution of the two scorers who got the sides level he added: "Craig Ross has been outstanding in his whole Locos career. To be ten years at a club and put in performances like this season, he was superb.
"Scott Michie came in and did a good job, he's a good pro, he knows the youngsters have been doing well but this was a game where we needed a player like him.
"My guys are devastated but we now want to get as many points on the board as possible. Only Cove and Deveronvale can win it now, no amount of Cups in the sideboard can make up for not winning the League."
Locos are away at Rothes tonight then face Brora Rangers away on Saturday (April 18) before another midweek date this Wednesday (April 22). A lot of travelling but a good chance to collect some vital points. Second or third place looks best bet at this stage unless there is a dramatic collapse by the Toonsers.
Meanwhile, Locos centre back Roddy Mess has chosen to stay with club and sign a new one year contract when it looked like he'd be heading out the door after a forthcoming Testimonial match to reward ten years' service.
A true fans favourite, Big Rod-Eye has been talking about the way things have gone: "I am delighted. I have had a run of injuries that have kept me out a long time but am still as enthusiastic as ever.
"I am delighted Dave has offered me a contract, and am looking forward to getting back into the squad I always felt I was more than capable of playing here and doing a good job. So I am aiming to be fully fit and raring to go."
And boss Cormie has no doubts the player has what it takes topush his way back: "Four months ago I sat down with Roddy Mess and said I felt I didn't see him getting enough football here. We had a good chat after the fundraising dinner and I didn't realise how much the club meant to him, he wants to be here.
"He has had offers format least seven Junior clubs, that I know of because they have contacted me, one of them will be Highland League next year.
"To stay here shows the commitment I'm looking for. There is a future here for him but he still has to get himself super fit. He will get games here, certainly will be involved in the Under 21 games.
"You look back at a big game in Aberdeen recently. Maybe the big 'roch' Roddy at Cove on that windy day would have made a difference."
