Match Analysis: Port Vale 2-0 Rotherham
Louis Dodds scored his third goal in three games against Rotherham as Vale made it two home wins in a row over the festive period.
Micky Adams made three changes with Liam Chilvers, Louis Dodds and Chris Lines replacing the suspended Chris Robertson, the injured Jennison Myrie-Williams and veteran Lee Hughes.
And Vale roared into an eighth minute lead when Louis Dodds scored his third goal in three games against Rotherham.
There was more drama to come as Duffy conceded a penalty on the quarter hour mark but young keeper Sam Johnson pulled off a great stop to save the penalty.
There were booking aplenty from an erratic referee as the game continued to entertain.
Doug Loft went close on a number of occasions for impressive Vale before Claude Davis stupidly earned a red card for a clash with Pope.
Vale made the visitors pay for that incident with a second goal on 68 minutes through the in-form Gavin Tomlin who duly netted his second goal in two game for Vale. Tomlin was then substituted and received a standing ovation from the Vale crowd.
Sub Ben Williamson almost scored a late third only to put his shot wide but nevertheless this was a terrific performance from the Valiants who ended 2013 on a real high note.
Vale: Johnson, Yates, Chilvers, Duffy, Dickinson, Loft, Griffith (Birchall), Lines, Tomlin (Shuker), Pope, Dodds (Williamson)
Subs: Boot, Lloyd, Hughes, Hugill
Attendance: 6,738