Aaron Donnelly’s first goal in Vale colours ensured the Valiants picked up all three points against relegation threatened MK Dons at Vale Park.
The 19-year-old’s 22nd-minute strike was enough to secure the victory for Vale, after a dominant display against the Dons.
Darrell Clarke’s side found the opener in the 22nd minute through the young Northern Irishman when he struck home with a brilliant first-time strike.
It was Donnelly's first goal in senior football, and it came from a David Worrall shot that fell into his path, which he expertly fired into the bottom righthand corner.
Darrell Clarke made just one change from last week’s defeat away at Bolton Wanderers, with Mal Benning coming into the starting 11.
There was also a return action for James Wilson, who had been missing through injury since late December, as a second-half substitute.
The first chance of the game fell to Ellis Harrison, but he could not keep his header on target after being found at the back post by Worrall.
Vale were dominant throughout the first period, and Matty Taylor came close to doubling our lead just before half time, but his free-kick flew over the bar.
The visitors came close to an equaliser just under 10 minutes after the interval through Daniel Harvie, whose strike from the edge of the area drifted inches wide of the far post.
Jamie Cumming then came to the rescue for the Dons at the other end when he managed to tip Harrison’s well-struck half-volley onto the post.
The Valiants were foiled by Cumming once again with 10 minutes to go when he got down low to stop Worrall’s powerful strike from nestling into the bottom lefthand corner.
Port Vale | Stone, Donnelly, Smith, Worrall, Garrity (69’ Conlon), Benning, Ojo (77’ Holden), Forrester, Taylor (78’ Wilson), Harrison (78’ Proctor), Pett
Unused Subs | Stevens, Politic, Agyakwa
MK Dons | Cumming, Watson, Tucker, Eisa (63’ Dean), Johnson (77’ Holland), Harvie, Lawrence (46’ Grigg), Kaikai, Devoy, Jules, Maghoma
Unused Subs | Ravizzoli, Grant, Robson, Smith
Attendance | 6,696 (340 away)