Relegation-haunted Vale's woeful run was extended to one point from six games
as in-form United eased into the comfort of mid-table.
Vale started with great determination and soon launched a sustained spell of
pressure.
Tommy Widdrington's close range effort was blocked by Lee Sandford before
Ville Viljanen's 16-yard shot clipped the crossbar after good work by George
O'Callaghan.
Vale then came within inches of taking the lead when O'Callaghan, steaming in
at the far post, just failed to finish off an Alex Smith cross.
But, cruelly for Vale, United took the lead against the run of play in the
23rd minute.
Wayne Quinn fired over a cross from the left and Marcus Bent rose completely
unchallenged to bury a header just under the crossbar from six yards.
Vale, to their credit, bounced straight back and were desperately unfortunate
not to draw level on the half hour.
David Healy's 20-yard free kick rattled the bar and O'Callaghan somehow put
the rebound wide of a gaping net.
A deserved equaliser finally arrived in controversial circumstances in first
half injury time.
Simon Tracey clutched O'Callaghan's cross before spilling the ball under a
strong challenge from Viljanen and Healy tapped home.
United started the second half at tremendous pace and as good as sealed the
points within four minutes.
Paul Devlin swept past Paul Donnelly to cross from the right and Curtis
Woodhouse netted the simplest of headers from just under the bar.
The cheers of the visiting fans hardly had time to subside before Laurent
D'Jaffo claimed a debut goal.
Quinn swung in a corner from the right and D'Jaffo headed home from six yards
with Paul Musselwhite groping at thin air.
Frustrated Vale followers were shouting for the head of manager Brian Horton
when substitute Tony Rougier netted a consolation in injury time.
Teams
Port Vale: Musselwhite, Brisco, Burton, Snijders, Donnelly,
O'Callaghan (Eyre 75), Bogie, Widdrington, Smith (Rougier 52),
Healy, Viljanen (Naylor 67).
Subs Not Used: Pilkington, Burns.
Goals: Healy 45, Rougier 90.
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Ford, Murphy, Sandford, Quinn, Devlin,
Derry, Brown (Ribeiro 78), Woodhouse, Bent (Gysbrechts 90),
D'Jaffo (Notman 81).
Subs Not Used: Hamilton, Davison.
Booked: Brown, Derry.
Goals: Bent 23, Woodhouse 47, D'Jaffo 49.
Att: 5,484
Ref: M Cowburn (Blackpool).
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