Rabs fielded new signings Craig Feroz and Stephen McGowas for the cup visit from Vale of Leven who had Alex Drain and Alan Gourlay missing due to injury.

First chance fell to Vale but Smith fired over the bar. In the 9th minute Vale's keeper Carr did well to block a Feroz shot after the striker met a Murray cross from the right. Clever passing play between Bowie and Wilson gave Lees a scoring opportunity but his effort was off target.

Anderson made a strong solo run from his own half of the field then cutting inside before releasing a powerful shot which Carr did well to save low down at his post, at the other end Smith shot well over.

On the half hour mark Russell's 25 yard freekick was blocked by the diving Bell and cleared by MacDonald. Minutes later Anderson set up Maxwell and from the edge of the box he fired past Carr's left hand post then an Anderson cross from the right was met by Murray but under pressure he could do no better than shoot wide.

Vale were very much in the game, Wilson was unlucky to see his goalbound effort deflected for a corner. Seven minutes before the break McKay had a good chance to put the home side ahead but keeper Carr who was having a fine match pushed the winger's shot around the post, from the resulting corner Wardle headed wide.

Berry, given yards of space had a decent attempt at goal bringing out another good save from the Rabs keeper then on the half time whistle the best chance of the half fell to McGowan from an Anderson pass but he hurried his shot and it went tamely past.

                   Half Time; Rob Roy 0 v Vale of Leven 0.

Rabs made an enforced change at the interval with Carberry replacing the injured Murray. Rabs went straight onto the attack Anderson had his volley blocked for a corner, from the flag kick Wardle's header was blocked. In the 55th minute Rabs had a strong claim for a penalty turned down by referee Dallas when McKay went down in the box when tackled by Berry. In the next minute MacDonald's freekick from the halfway line was headed past by Feroz.

Rabs took the lead in the 64th minute when a 25 yarder from Feroz was touched into the side netting by Carr, Anderson swung over the corner kick to the far post where Wardle crashed a header off the underside of the bar it fell to Stephen McGowan who knocked it home from close range. Rabs joy was short lived however when two minutes later Pawsey scampered down the right wing before sending over an inch perfect cross allowing Alan Filshie to tap in the equaliser from almost on the goal-line.

Vale could have taken the lead a minute later when Pawsey headed a Berry cross when in a good scoring position but the alert Bell took the ball confidently from underneath his crossbar. Rabs made a couple of late substitutions with McQuilken and Vaugh coming on for Muir and Feroz.

In the dying minutes of this hard fought and entertaining cup-tie Rabs went all out to kill off the game, A dangerous cross from McQuilken was headed clear by Kenny Wilson then Carr spilled an Anderson strike which was scrambled clear. In the final minute McKay pounced on a rare Lacy defensive error but the impressive Carr once again came to the visitors rescue when he pushed his shot around the post, from the corner kick the towering Wardle saw his header kicked off the line.

                  Full Time; Rob Roy 1 v Vale of Leven 1.

Verdict; Over the ninety minutes a fair result. Although a side two leagues below, Vale showed fighting qualities, were well organised and on a couple of occasions only inches from causing a cup upset. So it has to be done all over again at Millburn Park on Saturday and if both teams produce the same it should be a cracker of a replay.

Ref Watch; An easy match for Referee Andrew Dallas to handle with two sporting sides. Riled the home support when Rabs were denied a penalty claim but to be fair it was a difficult call to make. Only produced one yellow card for dissent. Overall a competent display by the young whistler.