PORT Glasgow left it very late, but eventually got a thoroughly deserved victory in this Sectional League Cup tie in Alexandria last night.

The Port had the bulk of the possession and created the most scoring opportunities, restricting the Vale to counter attacks.

They will have been disappointed to have gone in at the interval all-square after a goalless first half, and that disappointment turned to despair when Vale of Leven opened the scoring just seven minutes into the second period, when a through-ball eluded the Port defence and allowed Mark Pawsey to drill a low shot past keeper Robbie Graham.

Two minutes later the Port were given a golden chance to level, when a Paul Coyle shot was blocked by Vale midfielder Paul Nugent, and referee Eddie Ferguson deemed it deliberate hand-ball and pointed to the spot.

Coyle took the spot-kick himself, but it was just the right height for Vale keeper Charles Smith to pull off a fine save.

It wasn’t long, though, before Port Glasgow finally got on level terms, with a low free-kick from Scott Nugent beating the defensive wall and the home keeper.

The Port now pressed for the winner, and on 84 minutes a neat through-ball from substitute Graham Black sent Nugent clear on goal, but this time keeper Smith blocked the striker’s effort with his legs.

But Nugent wasn’t to be denied five minutes later, latching on to a pass from new signing Jo-Jo Connolly and firing a low shot past the keeper.

Then as the match entered the 93rd minute, a long ball saw Black in acres of space, with the Vale defence claiming offside. But referee Ferguson waved away the claims, allowing Black to round the keeper and prod home for the goal which sees the Port top the section table on goal difference from Renfrew.

Port manager Craig Brown said: “We never let the heads go down, even after losing the opening goal and then missing the penalty.

“I feel we have a strong squad this season, with players who can come off the bench and make an impact. That’s what happened tonight, with Graham Black and Andrew Ellis coming on and giving us that wee bit extra in the final third of the pitch.” Meanwhile, there was the surprise sight of former Greenock manager Stevie Mooney in the Vale of Leven dug-out, with the former Ravenscraig gaffer assisting the Alexandria club in a coaching capacity.

Vale boss Hughie Hamill was magnanimous in defeat. He said: ‘’To be honest, it would have been a bit of a steal if we had taken a point tonight, as the Port were the better team and deserved their victory.’’ With Port Glasgow’s next sectional match not until next Wednesday evening, they have arranged a friendly against Maryhill for this Saturday, kick-off-off 12.30pm at Lochburn Park.

PORT GLASGOW: Graham, McClement, Coyle, Walton, Paterson, McKay (Ellis 65), Jamieson (Grana 28), Connolly, Nugent, Sharp (Black 68), McCormick. Subs not used: McAfee, Pettigrew.

l Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by Regents Vehicle Sales, Greenock, and MAC HSL Ltd.