Port Vale capitalised on Bradford’s defeat earlier in the day to move top of the Sky Bet League Two table with a thumping 5-0 win over Bromley.
Youngster Jack Shorrock gave the Valiants an early lead before in-form striker Lorent Tolaj scored a brace either side of substitute George Byers’ goal.
Ryan Croasdale put the icing on the cake late on as Darren Moore’s side, who have now won six of their last seven games, moved three points clear at the summit with just four matches remaining.
Vale went ahead in the fifth minute when 17-year-old Shorrock fired the ball home from inside the box after being laid off by Tolaj.
It looked as though the hosts had doubled their advantage just before the quarter-hour mark as Tolaj found the net from Shorrock’s delivery, but it was ruled out for offside.
Down at the other end, Ben Thompson had a good chance to bring Bromley level, but Vale goalkeeper Ben Amos saved comfortably.
Tolaj’s assured finish made it 2-0 in the 28th minute after he was picked out from Croasdale’s cut back.
Byers, who had just come off the bench, then scored from six yards out to all-but end the match as a contest in the 66th minute.
Two minutes later, Tolaj bagged his fifth goal in three appearances after latching on to a ball over the top and finishing expertly to make it 4-0.
Croasdale added extra gloss to the scoreline in the 82nd minute, tapping in from Jemiah Umolu’s cross to round off a perfect afternoon for Vale.
