Super sub Mo Faal heads Port Vale into Carabao Cup second round

Port Vale made it through to the second round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over League One rivals Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

It was substitute Mo Faal who proved to be the matchwinner when he rose highest to head home Jordan Shipley’s in-swinging corner with 15 minutes remaining.

In a game of very few chances, it was the hosts who created the better in the first half.

The vastly-experienced Lee Evans provided a neat pull back on the half-hour mark for new signing Jordan Brown, who saw a close-range attempt blocked on the six-yard line by Vale defender Ben Heneghan.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Evans then thought he had sent his side in at half-time in front, only for his free-kick to clip the top of Marko Marosi’s goal on its way over.

Darren Moore’s visitors regrouped during the break and started the second half brighter with both Jayden Stockley and Heneghan going close with headers, with the latter’s attempt forcing a smart save out of Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

With time ticking by – and the game looking like it was petering out towards penalties – Vale boss Moore sent on Wrexham loanee Faal and within four minutes, he was on the scoresheet with a bullet header.