The onus midweek was to start quickly at Prenton Park and that’s exactly what Vale did according to match-winner Chris Lines.

Vale were rampant in the opening 45 minutes, Doug Loft hit the post, Ben Williamson went close and Tom Pope had a penalty saved.  

For all Vale’s attacking menace the first-half ended goalless, did panic set in? No is the short answer – attack after attack headed Tranmere’s way.

With just over 30 minutes remaining Lines curled in a exquisite free-kick, the goal perfect and with it a feeling of relief – a deserved match winner already in the bag.

Vale were only troubled in the final five minutes but held on to record back-to-back wins.

Chris Lines told Valiant Player: “It was a great win, we started like a house on fire and we continued for most of the game.

“We came out of the blocks very quick and that’s what we aimed to do.

“They had lost their last two or three games so we are happy with how we started we just didn’t get the goal.”

Vale dominated from the referee’s first whistle but come the half-time whistle The Valiants had nothing to show – patience was key said Lines.

“You can get frustrated, we didn’t necessarily miss chances it just wasn’t quite going in.

“We got to half-time and they had 10 men and we had to be patient and just go from there and keep our heads, luckily I’ve got the goal.

“We were all over them with 11 men let alone 10, Lines added.

Onto that goal – and what a goal, perfectly positioned for a set-piece specialist, something Lines has become known as in the white and black of Vale.

Owain Fôn Williams simply stood still and admired the perfectly executed free-kick.

“To be fair it is about time I scored, it used to be a big part of my game, hopefully I can carry that on especially playing in the middle with Griff (Anthony Griffith) knowing he is going to sit,” Lines said.

“It was a nice position just outside the edge of the box.

“I thought if I just get it over the wall then I would score but it went a bit better and found the top corner as well.”

Lines admitted afterwards that he should practice some more but going by today’s effort it will be hard to beat.

“Me and Jeno (Jennison Myrie-Williams) practice in training a bit, I probably should do a little bit more.”