Vale Park had to wait just eight minutes for the opening goal when, after good hold up play, Danny Sonner fed the ball into the path of Chris Birchall who slotted into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Walsall drew level on 24 minutes when after Ishmael Demontagnac's forward run took him past Steve Rowland and his cut back was turned into the net by captain Sam Collins.
The visitors added another nine minutes before the break when John Ruddy's long kick found Demontagnac and thanks to a slip by George Pilkington, the striker got a free shot which curled beyond Mark Goodlad from 15 yards.
The Valiants almost got themselves back on level terms in the 41st minute when Michael Cummins met Birchall's cross but his header bounced clear off the underside of the crossbar.
Vale were level after 55 minutes when defender Rowland found himself shooting from a tight angle but Ruddy's spill gifted on loan Gary Mulligan his first for the club from close range.
The home side resumed the lead on 72 minutes as Cornes received the ball just inside the box and he buried his shot low to Ruddy's right to bag his third in a week.
Rowland was in the thick of the action again 11 minutes from time when he smashed a half volley from 30 yards but Walsall were saved again by the woodwork.
Walsall piled on the pressure in the dying minutes but Collins and Pilkington tidied up the long ball barrage to give their side a much needed win.