It was 10-man Coventry City who managed to earn all three points at the Ricoh Arena, thanks to a first-half Jodi Jones strike.
Port Vale saw themselves strike the bar and have an excellent chance through Marcus Harness in the game but were unable to get an all-important equaliser.
The action started from the off as Port Vale saw much of the ball within the first five minutes. Upon his return, Tyrone Barnett tried his luck from 35-yards on a first-time volley which travelled just wide of the goal.
The Sky Blues looked to have more of the ball and saw a slight chance on eleven minutes through Peter Vincenti. Marc McNulty held the ball up well on his chest, only for the attacking midfielder to volley his effort wide.
But, Coventry opened the lead on 24 minutes as Jodi Jones put the hosts infront. The winger picked the ball up on the edge of the area and without being closed down, fired into the bottom corner. The ball curled into the corner after Rob Lainton saw his view obstructed by a defender with The Valiants finding themselves a goal down.
City looked to extend their lead and grew with confidence as the game went on. Jack Grimmer tried a speculative effort on the right-byline only for the shot to go well-over Lainton's bar.
Nathan Smith had the chance to get an equaliser for Port Vale as Barnett got on the end of the long-ball. The striker flicked it on towards Smith who couldn’t quite get there as Burge holds on 40 minutes.
Skipper, Anthony Kay, saw a grand opportunity on the stroke of half-time as his header struck the crossbar. His head dropped to his hands as the half-time whistle went to end the opening 45 minutes.
Within a minute, Michael Doyle tried his luck from range on a volley which flew well-over the bar – much to the delight of the Vale defence.
The hosts looked to continue the pressure and put Vale on more of a back foot. Scott Beavon lay off a good ball for Liam Kelly who attempted a rocket of a shot, only to whizz just wide of the goal on 48 minutes.
Lainton was forced into his real piece of action on 52 minutes as Beavon turned and struck towards the goal, forcing Laits to an excellent save.
Beavon continued to cause more issues for Michael Brown's men as he snatched onto the long ball and as Lainton rushed out, the striker poked it just wide of the goal. Lainton added to the injury list with a foot problem as Sam Hornby came on.
Vale then made their second substitution of the match as Rekeil Pyke came on for Barnett as The Valiants searched for an equaliser.
Coventry continued to press on Vale with several efforts within the next few moments. It was a frustrating period for Port Vale as they continued to search for that all-important goal.
The game was turned upside down in an instant as Rod McDonald was sent his marching orders from the referee. David Worrall looked to be clear on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat as the central defender brought him down on the edge of the area. After much debate on the 81st minute, McDonald was sent off as Vale looked to take advantage with Anthony de Freitas coming onto the field – replacing Harry Middleton.
Vale's arguably best chance of the game with five minutes to go. The ball was played through to Harness as he tried a first-time effort, only to be pushed away by Burge.
Tom Pope saw two excellent chances denied at the end of the half as the target man struck the post and then forced Burge into a fine save with seconds to play.
It was another loss for The Valiants who once again performed well but were unable to pick up a point as Luton Town await on Tuesday.
Attendance: 6951 (443 away supporters).
Coventry City Team News: Burge, Grimmer, Stokes, Willis, McDonald, Kelly, Vincenti, Doyle, McNulty (Beavon 29, Davies 82)), Jones, Andreu (Nazon 68).
Unused Subs: O'Brien, Biamou, Kelly-Evans, Maycock.
Port Vale Team News: Lainton (Hornby 60), Davis, Kay ©, Harness, Pope, Worrall, Barnett (Pyke 66), Smith, Whitfield, Gunning, Middleton (de Freitas 83).
Unused Subs: Denton, Anderson, Turner, Wilson.