Port Vale's early exit in the Carling Cup to Doncaster could be seen as a blessing in disguise as Martin Foyle's men got back to winnings ways at home to Bristol City.
A scrappy start saw both sides fail to get any real grip on the game and the crowd had to wait until the 10th minute for the first real chance when Lee Matthews picked out Stephen Brooker from the right but a brilliant stop from Steve Phillips denied his diving header.
Bristol City were still waiting for their first chance when the Valiants took the lead out of the blue.
Craig James didn't wait for Phillips and curled his left-footed free-kick early into the top right corner from 25 yards.
James had a hand in Vale's second when another wicked free-kick earned Ian Armstrong a corner. Armstrong whipped the ball into the centre of the box where Brooker was waiting to place his glancing header past the stranded keeper.
Ten minutes after the break, City changed things around with player-manager Brian Tinnion bringing himself on as part of the triple substitution.
The changes earned the away side the lion's share of possession but chances were still scarce.
Vale went further ahead in the 66th minute when Armstrong burst forward, played a cheeky one-two with Matthews before lobbing Phillips to confirm the three points.