Hurlford United dealt a sickening late blow to rivals Darvel this afternoon as a stoppage-time equaliser handed Beith Juniors the West of Scotland League Premier Division title.
David Syme had Vale ahead for most of the second half, but a strike from Josh Jack in stoppage-time handed The Mighty and Chris Strain the league as they won 5-0 against Kilwinning at Bellsdale.
Boss Darren Henderson, who was late to the match due to watching his son in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, said: "I didn't get here until the second half, but the chances I saw and what I'd heard from the first half was we deserved something.
"It was a great goal from JJ, and Chris [Taylor] had a couple of great saves, it's a good point and we're unbeaten in four at home.
"A point against Darvel is good, we beat them up there so that's four points from six, we can't complain.
"It was a good day, we lost four to Largs last week which was disappointing, but they followed that up and beat Auchinleck during the week."
Darvel had a fantastic chance in the third minute when Craig Moore picked up the ball six yards out, but he somehow fired wide.
Scott Ferguson cut inside after 15 minutes to try his luck, but his effort flew just over the crossbar.
Michael Mullen fired a header from a corner goalbound in the 20th minute but it somehow stayed out to deny Hurlford a 1-0 lead.
The visitors fired themselves in front after 50 minutes as David Syme rocketed a header towards goal to make it 1-0.
Jack Whittaker tried his luck in the 66th minute as he smashed a shot on goal from 25 yards, but Lyle Avci was equal to it as he took the sting out of the effort.
Josh Jack fired home a powerful effort in the 91st minute as Avci couldn't get a strong enough hand to it and it flew into the net sending the home fans into celebrations.
An incredible save from Chris Taylor denied Vale a late winner as the full-time whistle blew Vale learnt the Beith score and their fate.
Interim Darvel boss Craig McEwan said: "First and foremost it was disappointing, to lose a goal in the manner we did was not acceptable.
"It sums up our season, it has been near misses, nearly there, the goal we lose isn't good enough at any level.
"Both teams had good chances, we had plenty of chances to win the game but we didn't do it.
"It has been a tough couple of weeks for the club, we have two massive games to go, Beith and Auchinleck will come to us smelling blood so we need to turn up and do the right thing.
"We need to take it on the chin, take our medicine and move on."
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