Two second-half goals in four minutes put Doncaster through to the Carling Cup second round following a sparkling attacking display.
It was Port Vale who looked more dangerous at the start but once Rovers clicked into gear they ran them ragged.
Vale began brightly and Andy Warrington did well to palm away a stinging shot from Stephen Brooker in the fifth minute.
Doncaster started to put their opponents under pressure and Steve Foster missed a chance when he fired wide following a corner after Michael McIndoe.
But it was Vale who took the lead in the 25th minute when Doncaster were caught napping following a long throw from Sam Collins.
The ball ran to Brooker whose shot was blocked but Dean Smith latched on to the rebound to fire into the unguarded net.
The visitors looked good at that stage but Doncaster battled back in tremendous style with Gregg Blundell and Paul Green both going close.
Leo Fortune-West equalised with a close range header following a cross from Paul Green in the 36th minute and Rovers ran rings around their opponents after the interval.
John Doolan fired them in front with a 35-yard thunder bolt in the 53rd minute and McIndoe hammered the third home from close range after Fortune-West had headed down a cross from James Coppinger soon after.
Doncaster should of have had more goals but missed chances in the closing stages to make the win more convincing.