Barnsley's Papa John's Trophy campaign came to an abrupt halt in Burslem.
Two first half Port Vale strikes put the hosts in the ascendancy, and whilst Michael Duff's men rallied after the break, scoring through Tom Edwards, they weren't good enough to progress in this competition against a full-strength Vale side.
It was the Reds applying the early pressure however, with Josh Benson having the opportunity to deliver from a corner twice in quick succession; the first narrowly evading the head of Adam Phillips and the second being flicked on by Jack Aitchsion in the second phase of the attack but his effort bounced wide of Jack Stevens' goal.
However, despite this good start from the Reds, it was the hosts who found themselves in front in the 14th minute. Dennis Politic was set free wide left on the break and drove towards goal. The Romanian, on his left foot, powered a strike past Jack Walton into the top left corner for his fourth goal in the Papa John's Trophy this season.
The Valiants made it two in the 27th minute through David Worrall, who after an intricate passing move on the left allowed the ball to be squared for the goalscorer who sidefooted home with power from inside the area to double his side's lead.
It was nearly three for Port Vale minutes later, with Worrall nearly doubling his tally in almost identical fashion, arriving late at the back stick. However, Jack Walton pulled off an impressive stop at the post to prevent a third breach of his goal inside the opening half.
HALF-TIME: Port Vale 2-0 Reds
Unlike the first half, the hosts came out of the traps much faster and continued to assert their authority on the affair.
Worrall continued to cause problems, and after the ball found the winger on the right after a good passing move, he drilled low and hard across the six-yard-box only for Walton to bravely get down and hold.
A turnover in possession in the middle of the park allowed the ball to be chipped into Mipo Odubeko who turned and found Politic who was surging through the middle of the park. The attacker took a touch and looked to certain to make it three for Vale, but his effort sailed over the bar from close range.
The Reds found a foothold in the match with around 15 minutes to play. A sidewards ball from Josh Martin found Edwards in space on the right, advancing with his found freedom on the flank. Within shooting range, the defender opted to pull the trigger and his deflected effort looped in and over Stevens.
After the goal it was all Barnsley, with Vale being camped in their own half and looking to catch the Reds on the counter. But the equalising chance was never fashioned, and focus now switches to the Emirates FA Cup tie with Crewe Alexandra this Saturday at Oakwell.
FULL-TIME: Port Vale 2-1 Reds
Walton, Kitching (Edwards), Benson, Martin, Moon, Cundy, Larkeche, Aitchison, Phillips (Kane), Butterfill, Nejman.
Unused: Collins, Andersen, Cadden, Cole, Connell.
