Mark Boyd hit a brace to lead relegation-threatened Port Vale to a much needed victory over Chesterfield.

Brian Horton's men coasted into a four-goal lead inside 18 minutes before Boyd's exquisite chip killed off a spirited fightback by the visitors.

Stephen McPhee opened the floodgates with a superbly executed lob in the second minute.

Boyd followed up on Steve Brooker's shot to bury a second in the 10th minute and Ian Armstrong curled a brilliant third five minutes later.

A rout looked on the cards after the impressive Brooker drove in Vale's fourth - the signal for some of Chesterfield's 200 followers to make a very early exit.

But the visitors saw a chink of light when Rob Edwards drove home after 34 minutes and Marcus Ebdon reduced the deficit further seconds before the break.

A slip by Chesterfield substitute Gareth Davies on 67 minutes left Boyd a clear route to goal and the former Newcastle striker finished with aplomb to kill off the Spireites.

Port Vale: Goodlad, Burns, Brightwell, Collins, Carragher, McClare, Durnin, Boyd, Armstrong, Brooker, McPhee.
Subs: Delaney, Byrne, Paynter, Rowland, Birchall.

Chesterfield: Williams, Booty, Blatherwick, O'Hare, Howson, Rushbury, Edwards, Ebdon, Brandon, Hurst, Reeves.
Subs: Allott, Richmond, Warne, Davies, Howard.

Referee: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).