Despite leading twice, the Valiants suffer defeat against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
Jon Brady made two changes from Saturday’s side that drew against Huddersfield Town. Connor Hall returned to the starting XI after missing the last fixture with a knock. Ben Garrity also returned to the squad after a lengthy injury layoff.
The Valiants made a rapid start to the game and took the lead inside the first two minutes. Liam Gordon was allowed time and space to drive into the Blackpool half before unleashing a powerful effort that was blocked by a Blackpool defender. The loose ball then fell to Dajaune Brown, who took it past his man before slamming past the defender on the line to give the Valiants the best possible start at Bloomfield Road.
After taking an early lead, Vale looked for a second and came close when Jordan Shipley took aim from range, but it was well saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who palmed it away to safety.
The hosts looked to get back into the game, but were being restricted to efforts from range. Josh Bowler had two that whistled wide of the upright. In the 25th minute, Jordan Brown’s curled effort was blocked, and the rebound fell kindly to George Honeyman, who dragged a first-time effort well wide from the edge of the area.
Five minutes before the break, Blackpool came within inches of levelling the scores. Jordan Brown picked up the ball 25 yards out and fired a low effort towards goal that crashed off the upright before falling to Ashley Fletcher, who saw his weak, first-time effort saved by the relieved Joe Gauci.
After the break, Blackpool found a leveller inside the first minute of the half. Josh Bowler did well to work space for a cross from the right side that was turned home by Niall Ennis from close range to level the scores.
After getting back into the game, the hosts pushed on and looked to go ahead. Josh Bowler was causing a threat down the right side, but his crosses came to nothing. After weathering a brief Blackpool storm, it was the Valiants who took the lead on the hour mark. Jordan Shipley raced down the left side and broke into the Blackpool box before squaring the ball to Rhys Walters, who emphatically finished from close range to grab his first-ever goal for the Valiants.
Fifteen minutes later, the hosts levelled the scores once again. After coming on moments before, Tom Bloxham made an immediate impact from the bench as he did well to hold the ball up in the area before crossing to Ashley Fletcher, who turned home from close range.
Ten minutes from time, Blackpool took the lead. A corner from the right was recycled at the back post and the ball was flashed back across goal, where Reull Walters deflected home from close range.
TEAM NEWS:
Blackpool: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Olly Casey, Jordan Brown, Niall Ennis (Tom Bloxham 70’), George Honeyman © (Karoy Anderson 64’), Ashley Fletcher, Hayden Coulson (Leighton Clarkson 64’), Joel Randall (CJ Hamilton 64’), Josh Bowler, Michael Ihiekwe (James Husband 70’), Reull Walters.
Subs not used: Franco Ravizzoli, Zac Ashworth.
Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Connor Hall, Jordan Grabriel, Dajaune Brown (Andre Gray 67’), Rhys Walters (George Hall 78’), Funso Ojo ©, Liam Gordon (Jaheim Headley, 78’), Martin Sherif (Onel Hernandez 78’), Jordan Shipley (Ben Garrity 67’), Eli Campbell, Tyler Magloire.
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Ethon Archer.
