Match report: Vale of Leithen 0, East Stirlingshire 7

That already-tricky challenge got infinitely harder, though, 25 minutes into their game behind closed doors at Innerleithen’s Victoria Park on Saturday after they went down to 10 men due to Ger Rossi being red-carded for dangerous play.

That sending-off came almost immediately after the Falkirk side had taken the lead too, magnifying the hosts’ woes.

From then on, it was more a case of when than if further goals would follow, and Vale were already 5-0 down by half-time.

To their credit, though, they stuck at it and didn’t give up, with overworked goalkeeper Ben McGinley only conceding two further goals in the second half and even mustering a couple of chances of their own, including a last-minute penalty for handball saved by visiting goalkeeper Ross Connelly.

Leading the scoring for the visitors with a hat-trick was Andy Rodgers and also getting on the scoresheet were Gregg Wylde, Craig Henderson, Lee Hadden and Jamie Dishington.

Among those turning out for ’Shire was their manager, Derek Ure, replacing Rodgers as centre forward as the end of normal time approached, though the 36-year-old was unable to keep up the good work begun by the man he replaced.

Vale have two away fixtures up next, at Gretna 2008 this Saturday, November 7, at 3pm and Edinburgh’s Spartans next Tuesday, November 10, at 7.45pm, but they’ll be back at home on Saturday, November 14, to host Cumbernauld Colts at 3pm.