Adams said: "I've always said he's not the type of lad who hides away.

"We believe in him and he believes in the way we play. He's a big part of our group because he's a leader, and I'm delighted for him.

"I've never seen an away support clapping a centre forward from the pitch - that tells its own story."

Vale dominated from the outset and swept to their biggest win of the campaign thanks to further goals from Rob

Taylor and Craig Davies.

"We came here expecting to win and we were nice and positive and sent out a positive team," added Adams.

"If you look at our recent performances somebody was going to get a spanking.

"That will give us a lot of confidence and every member of the squad played their part – it was fantastic.

"The pleasing aspect was everybody was on top of their game and there were no weaknesses in the team."

The win could rocket expectations in Burslem with Vale lying ninth in League Two and just three points adrift of the play-off zone.

While Adams at least acknowledged his side have a chance of securing a top-seven place, he continues to play it cagey over their prospects.

"We're not good enough for the play-offs," said Adams.

"Today's result means that if we get everything right on our day we can beat anybody.

"We've got teams to play in the top half of the table, and we'll play a major part in who goes up and who doesn't.

"We hope this gives us a platform to build on and we'll see how far we can go."