It is not getting any easier for Vale, with East Stirling being the side they will have to overcome if they are to put an end to their winless streak.

The 2-0 reverse to Dalbeattie Star last Saturday was the fifth game in a row which has ended in draw or defeat, and second placed Shire are the visitors to Victoria Park tomorrow.

The Falkirk-based side are East Kilbride’s nearest challengers in the league and results have included a 10-1 hammering of Gala Fairydean Rovers two weeks ago, but Vale can take heart from the 2-2 draw they managed in the reverse fixture.

Kevin Motion knows he and his team-mates will turn around their form at some point, although he acknowledged that East Stirling will be tough opponents.

.He said: “I think everyone should be looking forward to it as it’s another chance to test ourselves against one of the top teams in this league. They have good players all over the park and it will be a real good test for us on the back of our recent run.

“We have been on a sticky patch of late but we are a new team and I’m very confident with the players we have we will turn it around sooner rather than later.

“We have competed very well in 90% of our games this season and we must take confidence from that. On our day we can match anyone and the boys have to believe in themselves in order to win.”

The draw at Ochilview was one of a number of heartening results achieved this season, but form has tailed off in recent weeks, so much so that the last win came against Gretna at the beginning of November.

It was also Motion’s debut for Vale and he added: “I hadn’t done much of a pre-season and I was very fortunate to start. I thought every single one of the boys were superb that day.

“We dominated the game for large parts and it was a really good game to play in. We played some terrific football and I don’t think anyone could disagree that we should have won the game and that’s probably not even taking the missed penalty into account.”

“However, they are on a real good run just now and in Andy Rodgers they have a proven senior goal scorer that we’ll need to keep an eye on. We’ll get chances in the game though and we must take them, as that has let us down over the last few weeks.”