Tom Pope became the quickest player in Port Vale's history to score 20 goals in a season as his hat-trick helped thrash Bristol Rovers. He opened the scoring when he chested down a long ball and crashed an 18-yard shot into the net before later heading home from point-blank range for 2-0. Ben Williamson then ran in a loose ball for Vale's third after Pope's header came back off the inside of the post. Pope was not to be denied and sealed the record with a 16-yard header. It was the 27-year-old's 23rd game of the season. VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Bristol Rovers manager Mark McGhee told BBC Radio Bristol: Play mediaWe didn't keep the ball up front and the two boys up there didn't work as hard as we wanted them to. They didn't do what we needed them to do in terms of defending and attacking. We had six clear-cut chances, not half chances, I thought they were decent chances. It's hugely disappointing as they practice every day but when it comes to a game like this they can't convert it. Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6) Port Vale 01 Neal 02 Yates 05 McCombe 14 McDonald (Davis - 78' ) 24 Duffy 09 Myrie-Williams 21 James 23 Burge (McAllister - 73' ) 10 Vincent 11 Pope (Lloyd - 68' ) 19 Williamson Substitutes 12 Johnson 17 Davis 03 Taylor 15 Shuker 20 McAllister 22 Lloyd 08 Dodds Bristol Rovers 38 Etheridge 02 Smith 04 Woodards (Gill - 46' ) 06 Parks 11 Broghammer (Santos - 60' ) 14 Brown 03 Paterson 21 Brown 25 Clucas (Riordan - 55' ) 26 Lund 32 Eaves Substitutes 28 Walker 19 Virgo 30 Lockyer 08 Gill 33 Santos 17 Harrison 27 Riordan Ref: Madley Att: 4,177 132 away fans.

Tom on bench. Alefe Santos first start. Dismal 4-0 defeat which probably was the end of Mark McGhee. Found out afterwards that John Ward was in the stand - funny that.