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Recent signing Marcus Maddison scored a classy first-half goal to set league leaders Peterborough United on their way to a convincing win over Port Vale.

Maddison lofted the ball over goalkeeper Chris Neal from 18 yards to give Posh a deserved lead at the break.

Substitute Kyle Vassell headed in Jon Taylor's free-kick to double the score and Jack Payne's fine shot made it 3-0.

Jordan Slew scored with a thumping late strike but a fifth Posh win in six League One games was never in doubt.

Slew's goal was some reward for an improved second-half display by the visitors.

But Peterborough were good value for their win and their steady, clinical performance could easily have led to a greater margin of victory.

Conor Washington almost opened the scoring but his effort was well saved by Neal and new signing Luke James made a mess of the follow-up, shooting over when well placed.

Maddison grabbed his second goal in three games since joining from Gateshead when he scored from the edge of the box after a smart thinking from a quick throw-in.

The visitors threatened more after the interval after playing two up front.

But they struggled to create clear chances and only had Slew's late goal to show for their efforts after Vassell and Payne had made the points safe.