BITTER BLOW FOR VALIANTS

PORT Vale's desperate League One season continued as they lost 3-2 to fourth-from-bottom Blackpool after leading twice.

- Clive Youlton

It was a bitter blow for Jon Brady’s team against one of the few clubs they looked like they could catch but that now seems like a hopeless task.

It was the Valiants’ 19th league defeat in 35 matches and they remain stuck on just six wins for the campaign so far.

Having already beaten the Tangerines twice this season, including in the Carabao Cup, it was third-time unlucky for Brady's side whose situation at the foot of the table worsened.

They are now 14 points adrift of 20th-placed Exeter City and staring down the barrel.

There were two changes to the Vale starting XI following the 0-0 draw against Huddersfield Town.

Out went Ben Waine - who wasn’t in the squad - for Dajaune Brown and in came Connor Hall for Jaheim Headley.

There was a surprise on the bench as Ben Garrity returned from another lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Grant Ward making way.

The Vale captain missed two long periods last season, the start of this season, and was making a third comeback this term.

As well as Waine, there were other players still not available with the likes of Cameron Humphreys, Ben Heneghan, Kyle John, George Byers, Ryan Croasdale and Jayden Stockley missing.

Vale kicked off in bizarre fashion as Funso Ojo knocked to Jordan Shipley who drilled a low ball upfield straight into the arms of Blackpool keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Incredibly, though, Vale took the lead with just a minute on the clock.

A wonderful crossfield ball from Connor Hall found Liam Gordon whose shot was blocked. The ball fell nicely for Martin Sherif who also saw his effort kept out but only as far as Dajaune Brown who had the easy task of sticking the ball in the net from close range.

It was Brown's first league goal for the Valiants.