United scored three unanswered goals against the league leaders then had to hold on as they earned their third victory on the bounce on Good Friday.
Mark Hughes went with the same starting line-up as last weekend's victory over Morecambe, with Ben Barclay replacing Sam Lavelle on the bench the only change to the squad.
The opening exchanges were even but United had the first chance of the game with minutes on the clock. Matty Dennis worked it well down the left before getting a cross in, Kadeem Harris flicked it but his effort was blocked.
Callum Whelan was next to have an effort on goal after the ball bounced around on the edge of the box. The midfielder worked a yard of space but his shot was straight at Ben Amos in the away goal.
Matty Dennis then picked up a ball 30 yards out and, with no better options available, took the shot on. It sailed high over the bar as the Blues started to assert themselves on the game.
The next chance also fell to the Blues, with Cameron Harper picking out Sean Fusire with a clever pass into midfield. The young midfielder had a shot from 25 yards which went over the bar.
With 35 minutes on the clock United created another chance. Whelan got it to Kelly on the edge of the box, he held it up and set it back for Stephen Wearne who had his shot deflected behind for a corner.
The corner was initially cleared but Sean Fusire recycled the ball and slid it in to Georgie Kelly who made no mistake as he fired home his fourth goal in four games.
Georgie Kelly was involved again as United scored the second goal of the game. The striker got the ball down the left and put a dangerous ball into the box. Sean Fusire's effort came back off the post and Matty Dennis was there to prod the rebound home.
HALF-TIME: United 2-0 Port Vale
The visitors made two changes ahead of the second half but it didn't change the flow of the game. United continued to press and scored the third with 49 minutes on the clock. A corner was recycled again, this time by Callum Whelan, and Aaron Hayden rose highest in the box to head home.
Vale had a scramble in the United box just before the hour mark as a long throw caused problems, but Breeze fell on the ball after the defenders made sure Smith couldn't get a clear shot at goal.
The away side did pull one back with 62 minutes on the clock. Tolaj got a ball into the box and Ben Garrity got a touch to send it past Breeze.
Port Vale scored their second goal of the game with 70 minutes on the clock. Breeze made an initial outstanding save from a Hart effort but the substitute was the first to react and prodded it home.
Vale were then awarded a penalty when Terell Thomas was judged to have fouled Stockley in the box. Gabe Breeze produced a fantastic save to keep United ahead.
Matty Dennis was sent off for his celebrations following the following the penalty save on the bench.
United got the victory their hard work deserved and go to Accrington on Monday in great form.
FULL-TIME: United 3-2 Port Vale
Teams:
United - Breeze, Harper, Thomas ©, Hayden, Kelly, Ellis, Dennis (Hugill 84), Wearne (Vela 90), Harris, Whelan, Fusire (Guy 84).
Unused subs - Lewis, McArthur, Barclay, Bevan.
Port Vale - Amos, Clark, Hall (Richards 87), Smith, Garrity (Curtis 77), Stockley, Croasdale, Tolaj, Debrah, Shorrock (Hart 46), Walters (Byers 46).
Unused subs - Broome, Lowe, Umolu.
Goals:
United - Kelly (36), Dennis (43), Hayden (49)
Port Vale - Garrity (62), Hart (70)
Yellow cards:
United - Wearne (79). Dennis (85), Hayden (86)
Port Vale - Byers (69)
Red cards:
United - Dennis (94)
Port Vale - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Martin Woods
Assistant Referee 1 - Paul Newhouse
Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Sowerby
Fourth Official - Graeme Fyvie
Attendance:
12,305 (1,510)
