An emphatic first-half performance saw the Valiants cruise to victory against Rochdale for a fourth league win of the season.
An all-action first half, in the most part from a Vale persuasion, provided a goal just two minutes in.
Max Watters chested a ball down to Kyle Dempsey who played a neat through ball to Onel Hernandez, who took a touch and shot across his body into the bottom right corner for an early home lead.
The visitors, who had conceded five to Accrington Stanley the week before continued to struggle, as eight minutes later Hernandez was tripped in the box.
The man with the armband, George Byers, tucked into the bottom corner for his third goal from the spot this season and Vale’s second.
Rochdale’s only real threatening moment of the first half came when ex-Valiant Dajaune Brown was sent through, but a spectacular last-ditch block from Jasper Moon retained the two-goal lead.
Two minutes after, Kyle Dempsey, in acres of space, rifled a shot towards Dale keeper Walker, who parried out to Jordan Gabriel who reacted first and passed home to make it three in front of a jubilant Vale Park.
Great chances kept coming for Jon Brady’s side, with George Hall, who was a bright spark throughout, involved in the creation of more chances in the latter stages of the half.
Vale entered half-time with a comfortable, dominant three-goal lead.
If the first half was all-action, the second was almost the opposite. Rochdale came out more organised but failing to threaten, which simultaneously provided less opportunities for Vale.
It took until the 70th minute for a Vale goalscoring opportunity when Jaheim Headley found George Hall on the right edge of the box, his shot palmed away.
The visitors reduced the deficit with 10 minutes of normal time left, with a set-piece meeting Ian Henderson’s head to flick past Marko Marosi.
All three points were secured shortly after when a low George Hall cross reached Keyrol Figueroa, the Honduras international connecting to find the bottom corner.
Rochdale got a second with Tasker in the final minute after a tap-in.
Vale now take a break from league action, hosting Scunthorpe United in the Emirates FA Cup next weekend at home.
Port Vale: Marko Marosi, Jaheim Headley, Jasper Moon, Connor Hall, Jordan Gabriel (Kyle John 86’), George Byers © (Rhys Walters 70’), Kyle Dempsey, Onel Hernandez (Oli Lynch 54’), Cam Humphreys, George Hall (Maleace Asamoah 86’), Max Watters (Keyrol Figueroa 54’).
Subs not used: Jackson Smith, Aaron McGowan.
Rochdale: Sam Walker, Charlie Tasker, Kaiden Wilson (Sam Beckwith 72’), Cian Hayes (Luke Hannant 45’), Harvey Gilmour ©, Zain Silcott-Duberry (Ed Francis 45’), Baba Adeeko (Jamie Paterson 72’), Sam Sherring, Dajaune Brown, Aden Flint, Glenn Middleton (Ian Henderson 45’).
Subs not used: Jack Spaven, Reece Leonard.