Hartlepool United moved back into play-off contention with an impressive 5-2 victory at inconsistent Port Vale.
After striking the woodwork and firing a shot just wide, Vale fell behind in the sixth minute when Sam Collins made a rare slip to allow Chris Shuker to slot his effort underneath Jonathan Brain from seven yards.
The Valiants did not waste any time in equalising as two minutes later Stephen McPhee headed the ball down for Stephen Brooker to loop the ball over the helpless Jim Provett to grab his third goal since his return from injury.
The departure of Collins from Vale's defence in the 23rd minute for a second bookable offence considerably weakened the hosts and Pool took full advantage.
In the 30th minute Gavin Strachan's corner was headed out to Richie Humphreys who cracked a first-time volley into Brain's bottom right-hand corner.
The home side's frustrations were clear to see with Brooker and McPhee's runs being abruptly halted by a steady defence.
Even with the weather conditions deteriorating, Hartlepool stole a third when another swirling corner from Strachan was met by towering defender Michael Nelson.
Strachan completed his hat-trick of assists when he supplied Eifion Williams to score but it was Darrell Clarke who completed the rout on 83 minutes.
Vale did pull one back right at the death but it was only a consolation with Michael Cummins heading past Provett.