Michael Kennedy insists he won't get carried away despite Darvel handing Auchinleck Talbot a Beechwood bashing.
Goals from Daryll Meggatt, Allan Mackenzie and Andy Stirling earned the reigning champions their first win of the West of Scotland League Premier Division season.
The game had been end-to-end and closely contested but Gareth Armstrong's red card for a lunge on Mackenzie in the 40th minute proved to be a pivotal moment in proceedings.
'Vale quickly took advantage, striking twice before the break, and bossed possession in the second half on their way to laying down an early title marker.
"It's a fantastic result and a fantastic performance for us but in the grand scheme of things it's just three points," said 'Vale manager Kennedy.
"I thought the red card was a bit soft, to be fair, but it is one of those ones where you give the referee a decision to make; and he makes it.
"Up to that point, I felt we were in control of the game. It was then about taking the opportunities before half-time and that makes the second half slightly easier.
"The message to the players at half-time was be calm, dominate possession and use the size of the pitch; play with confidence and belief and don't get caught up in anything.
"It's dead easy to get caught up in the emotion of the game but you are never safe here. We wouldn't be the first team to have a lead here but they come back and you get caught out.
"It was just about seeing the game out and moving the ball around. But as I said to the boys, it's three points. It's the second game of the season and there is a long way to go. I don't think anyone will be writing Auchinleck off."
Darvel took the lead two minutes after Armstrong walked with Meggatt winning a Stirling corner in the air then reacting quickest to poke the loose ball into the net.
In first half injury time, the visitors made it 2-0 when Mackenzie touched a low cross beyond 'Bot keeper Andy Leishman.
Auchinleck had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 65th minute when Ross Taylor was fouled in the box by Stirling but Graeme Wilson's poor spot-kick effort was saved by 'Vale keeper Chris Truesdale.
That sucked any remaining life out of the hosts who conceded a third two minutes later when Stirling rattled a drive in off the underside of the bar.
'Bot boss Tommy Sloan said: "Gareth has gone in with a rash challenge and got himself a red card then we've not defended a couple of corners before half-time. The game's more or less done with 10 men.
"We had a wee opportunity to get back into the game with the penalty but not converted. It's just one of those days and I've no complaints."
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