Port Vale end 12-match winless run with emphatic victory over 10-man Blackpool

Port Vale were offered some cheer at the bottom of the Sky Bet League One table as they started 2026 with a 5-1 victory over 10-man Blackpool.

Tom Bloxham had put the Seasiders in front with his third goal in as many games, but a James Husband red card in first-half stoppage time changed the direction of the contest.

Jayden Stockley, George Byers, Jaheim Headley, Devante Cole and Ronan Curtis were all on the scoresheet for the managerless Valiants after the break, as interim head coach Jamie Smith ended a 12-game winless run in emphatic fashion.

Bloxham fired past Ben Amos in the 26th minute for the opener, but Ian Evatt’s side went into half-time on the backfoot following Husband’s sending-off for a challenge on Ryan Croasdale.

A header from Stockley levelled the scores nine minutes into the second half before Byers edged Vale in front just four minutes later.

Smith’s side then took full control inside the final 20 minutes, with Headley, Cole and Curtis all scoring to put the result beyond any doubt for a vital three points.