SEETHING Selkirk manager Mike McKinnon hit out at a costly refereeing decision which may have cost his team a place in the Scottish Cup third round.

Just seconds after Selkirk striker Jamie Gibson was red-carded for an innocuous challenge near the half-way line, Vale managed to score the vital equaliser from the resultant freekick.

In a pulsating end-to-end tie the goal was deserved, but it still angered the home gaffer. He said: "Referees and footballers are different breeds - we see things in a different way. Jamie should never have been sent off.

"The referee was booking players on both teams for next to nothing all afternoon.

"In fairness to Vale they deserved a draw, and we'll just have to pick ourselves up and have another go next week.

"We'll be missing quite a few boys for the replay which will make Vale firm favourites, but we've a big enough squad to field a good team." While Vale showed the composure and passing ability early on it was Selkirk's direct approach which led to the opener on 25 minutes.

Jamie Aitken drilled a low cross into the area and Euan Pritchard managed to steer the ball into the net from six yards out. Pritchard, along with centre half partner Jamie Higginbottom, had been outstanding throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Along with the fullback duo of Kenny Munro and Barry Milven, they had prevented the visitors having a single shot on target during the first half.

Vale did find the net just a minute after the interval but Scott Devlin was judged to have fouled keeper John Dodds as they challenged for Sproule's cross.

Aitken almost doubled the home tally on 53 minutes with a dipping freekick which James Hudson managed to push round the post.

And Gibson was denied by the keeper as he drilled in a powerful angled shot.

Referee Craig Napier had already booked six players, including Gibson, when he deemed the Selkirk striker had fouled Chris Inglis on 79 minutes and sent him off.

Sproule was first to react to the floated freekick and smashed home the equaliser from the edge of the area.

Vale co-manager Fraser Ogilvie said: "We didn't really start playing until the final 20 minutes.

"I'm just pleased we are still in the cup although we'll need to do better in the replay." Selkirk. J Dodds, K Munro, B Milven, J Higginbottom, E Pritchard, L Pyrkosz, M Holness (R Pepper 84), L Stephen (J Watt 84), J Gibson, J Aitken & D Battle (R McManus 74). Subs A Butters & B Connolly.

Vale of Leithen. J Hudson, C Gordon, C Gray, R McKenzie, J Blakie, C Inglis, W Sproule, K Dodds (D Thomson 81), S Devlin (M Smith 70), K Paterson (S Moffat 60) & M Cairney. Subs. J Draper & S Inglis.