Port Vale 2-0 Blackpool: Two late goals seal victory for Vale

Ajay Leitch-Smith and substitute Chris Birchall scored late goals to give Port Vale their fourth straight league win as they finally overcame plucky visitors Blackpool 2-0.

The visitors almost took a 12th-minute lead when a shot by Bright Osayi-Samuel was well saved by Jak Alnwick before the winger's follow up header was blocked on the line by Ryan McGivern.

And Blackpool again went very close in the last minute of the first half when David Norris' shot from a tight angle was held at full stretch on the line by Alnwick.

Both sides showed attacking intent from the start of the second half and the visitors, with driving rain at their backs, started to get the upper hand.

Alnwick was fully extended again in the 65th minute when Tom Aldred met James McAlister's left-wing corner with a powerful downward header.

Vale hit back with long-range attempts by skipper Carl Dickinson and Michael O'Connor before increasing pressure was rewarded eight minutes from time.

Substitute Sam Kelly played a perfect pass into the path of Leitch-Smith who struck a left-foot shot on the turn from 12 yards to send the ball low inside Dean Lyness' left-hand post.

And Blackpool's seventh straight defeat in all competitions was sealed in the 86th minute when Vale substitute Uche Ikpeazu played a square pass which Birchall swept low into the centre of the net with a right-foot shot from six yards.