Match report: Port Vale 0-4 Mansfield Town
The Valiants were put to the sword by a clinical Mansfield team as their winning run came to a dramatic end on Tuesday night.
Manager Neil Aspin opted for an attacking line-up with Tyler Denton brought in for the suspended Antony Kay.
In an exciting start, Vale had a chance in the opening seconds and forced further opportunities for Forrester, Pope and Pugh among others. In the meantime, Forrester and Mansfield manager Steve Evans were spoken to after the Vale forward was involved in a clash.
The Valiants were creating a number of chances but no clearcut opportunities as they failed to take advantage of their domination. They were made to pay when visitors Mansfield took the lead on the eve of half-time as Zander Diamond headed over Ryan Boot to open the scoring.
Aspin’s side aimed to get back in the game in the second period but two goals in rapid succession in the early stages put the game beyond them. Diamond grabbed his second while Danny Rose added a fine third.
It got worse on 63 minutes when Hemmings coolly made it four to the visitors and Vale were on their way to their second defeat in nine games.
Vale brought on Pyke and Tonge in the closing stages but to no avail as the visitors comfortably claimed a resounding win.
Vale: Boot, Gibbons, Smith, Anderson, Gunning, Worrall, Pugh (Tonge), Harness, Denton (Montano), Forrester (Pyke), Pope
Subs: Hornby, Yates, Reeves, Turner
Attendance: 3,878