Vale needed to win the game to overtake Rotherham and top the group to go into the semi-finals of the League Cup competition and finally did it in style after a goalless first half.
Vale should have taken an early lead as de Freitas ran up the left wing and squared the ball to Forrester six yards out but he side footed it just the wrong side of the post. Middleton then brought the best out of the ‘keeper who had to pull of an impressive save in the 10th minute.
In the 22nd minute Vale repeated their earlier move when de Freitas found Forrester but this time his shot was deflected and then pushed over the bar.
On the half-hour mark Forrester won a free kick that de Freitas took and saw it tipped around the post for a corner; from this, Graham Kelly shot and saw the ball graze the top of the bar.
In the 35th minute de Freitas won the ball in his own half and broke quickly heading towards goal but was fouled on the edge of the area.
Lainton was called into action for the first time as he comfortably saved in the 37th from a Rovers shot that lacked power.
HALF-TIME: Port Vale 0 – 0 Doncaster Rovers
Vale took the lead within seven minutes of the restart as Forrester slipped the ball through to the trialist who slid the ball under the ‘keeper from an acute angle into the far corner of the net.
Vale almost added a second immediately as Forrester knocked the ball down for Turner whose shot was well saved. The ball then fell to the trialist who centred to de Freitas, but the Frenchman shot well over.
The second goal of the afternoon came in the 62nd minute as the trialist found Regis who played the ball across to Forrester who kept calm to make space and slot home from eight yards.
Vale added a third when a good run into the area by the trialist saw him put the ball into the six yard box where Turner beat a defender and the ‘keeper to the ball to neatly chip into the net.
The fourth arrived in the 72nd minute as a poor kick by the ‘keeper allowed Forrester to beat the ‘keeper and a defender to lob the ball home.
Regis added the fifth five minutes later as he blasted the ball high across the ‘keeper into the top corner.
Turner scored his second and Vale’s sixth in the 89th minute as Denton’s cross to the far post saw Forrester head it back for Turner to slam home to complete a comprehensive victory that looked unlikely at half-time, but certain once the first goal went in.
Vale top their group and go through with the other group winners Notts County.
FULL-TIME: Port Vale 6 – 0 Doncaster Rovers
PORT VALE: Rob Lainton (Joe Slinn 80), Lawrie Wilson, Tyler Denton, Harry Middleton, Joe Davis (Billy Reeves 60), Graham Kelly, Dan Turner, Chris Regis, Trialist, Anton Forrester, Anthony De Freitas.
SUB NOT USED: Harry Benns, Matty Ward, Josh Ryder.
DONCASTER ROVERS: Louis Jones, Tyler Walker (Jordan Tucker 75), Cody Prior, Anthony Greaves, Reece Fielding, Danny Amos, Morgan James, Will Longbottom, Lewis Scattergood (Myron Gibbons 65), Rilwan Olaosun (Matty Overton 65), James Morris (Matty Overton 76).
SUB NOT USED: Keegan Townrow, Matty Overton.