Nigel Clough made one change to the Brewers side that beat Fleetwood 2-1 on Saturday. In came Tom Flanagan who replaced Shane Cansdell-Sherriff at the back in a like-for-like swap.
The Brewers were looking dangerous going forward as Mark Duffy ran at the Vale defence before being brought down by his namesake Richard Duffy. The resulting free kick was floated into the box which found Mousinho at the back post but his volley didn't trouble Alnwick in the home goal.Some nice Vale play saw Hooper in space on the edge of the Burton box but his left-footed shot flew wide of McLaughlin's left-hand post, a let-off for the Brewers.
The man between the Vale sticks was called in to action just after the half hour mark as Mardy Duffy picked put Calum Butcher on the edge of the 18-yard-box who curled an effort towards goal but Alnwick got down well to his left and pulled off a great save to deny him.
GOAL:Â The Brewers took the lead on 34 minutes through Lucas Akins! Beavon won a header on the half-way line against Grant which left the Brewers with 3 against 2 and with Naylor in possession he found Akins who controlled and slotted brilliantly under Alnwick! 0-1
GOAL:Â It was 2-0 on the stroke of half time as Mark Duffy whipped in a free kick from the left which was won by Stuart Beavon, Anthony Grant got the flick-on whcih took it over the head of Alnwick who was helpless and was just a spectator. 0-2
It was a pretty even half in terms of possession but it was the Brewers who had the better chances and they made Port Vale pay.
HT:Â Port Vale 0-2 Burton Albion
Both teams came out unchanged after the half time interval.
GOAL:Â It didn't take long for the Brewers to get in to the swing of things as Mark Duffy added a third. Edwards clipped a good ball down the right-hand wing which Beavon chased and won before picking out Duffy on the edge of the box who shimmied past one defender before pulling off a curling shot which nestled in the back of Alnwick's net! 0-3
Port Vale manager Robert Page didn't mess about in making his subs, he made a triple sub just after Duffy's goal. Foley, Moore and Dodds made way for Kelly, Kennedy and Robinson.
GOAL:Â The subs didn't work, Butcher added a fourth for the Brewers! It was a terrific passing move in the Vale half by the Albion, Beavon layed it off to Akins on the edge of the box who moved the ball on to Butcher before calmy slotting into the corner of Alnwick's net. 0-4
Mason Bennett was introduced to the field of play as he replaced the goal scorer Calum Butcher. Callum Reilly was brpought on shortly after as he replaced Damien McCrory at left back.
Jon McLaughlin pulled off a fine save to deny Hooper as he ran through on goal and swung his left foot at it but the Albion stopped was equal to it.
Youngster Marcus Harness was given the final 15 minutes as he replaced Beavon and the Brewers switched to a 4-1-4-1 with Harness on the right and Bennett up front.
Port Vale pushed for a consolation goal towards the latter stage of the second half but found no success thanks to the solidarity of the Burton Albion defence.
FT:Â Port Vale 0-4 Burton Albion
Ash's man of the match: Mark Duffy
Attendance: 6,157 (858 away)