Carlos Mendes Gomes, Jayden Wareham and Timur Tutierov scored to make it 13 points from 15 for Gary Caldwell’s side and move them up to 10th place in the table.

The result leaves Vale, who reduced the deficit through Cameron Humphreys, seven points adrift at the foot of the standings and 12 from safety.

The hosts came close to taking the lead early on courtesy of Ryan Croasdale, whose shot was well saved by Joe Whitworth after George Hall’s low cross had eventually found its way to him.

Exeter went in front in the 22nd minute as Bolton loanee Mendes Gomes scored his first goal for the club by heading home from Ilmari Niskanen’s delivery.

The visitors nearly doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark, but Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci was quick off his line to deny Wareham.

Just before half-time Wareham hit the left post with a stunning volley from 40 yards.

Not to be denied, the in-form forward did find the net shortly after the break, driving a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Tutierov made it 3-0 just before the hour mark, within minutes of coming on the pitch, with the Ukrainian tapping in from Jack Aitchison’s cross to make it two goals in two games since joining on loan from Sunderland.

Substitute Humphreys pulled one back for Vale in the 75th minute after Ben Heneghan’s effort was blocked into his path, but it was nothing more than a consolation.