Premier League: Stoke 0 Blackpool 1

Blackpool notched up their fourth away win in the league with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stoke at The Britannia.

DJ Campbell’s fourth goal of the season early in the second half proved the difference.

Kenwyne Jones had two great chances to put Stoke ahead in the 13th minute, first rising highest to head Matty Etherington’s corner over, then seconds later he skewed a shot wide from the edge of the box.

Blackpool hit back with David Vaughan volleying over from Stephen Crainey’s cross.

Then Campbell fired wide after a low cross was deflected into his path.

Good link-up play between Stoke’s Ricardo Fuller and Etherington saw Fuller with time to shoot 20 yards out, but his effort came crashing back off the cross bar.

Elliot Grandin then almost gave Blackpool the lead six minutes before the break. He had beaten the offside trap and was free to shoot from close range, but a fingertip from Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic denied him.

Stoke’s Rory Delap had the ball in the net two minutes from half-time heading in from Etherington’s corner, but referee Anthony Taylor ruled it out for a foul on keeper Richard Kingson.

Blackpool took the lead three minutes into the second half. Charlie Adam’s shot deflected to Campbell who poked in from close range.

And they went agonisingly close to going two up after 66 minutes with Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s guided header hitting the bar.

Stoke pressed for the equaliser but again the woodwork foiled them when Etherington’s free kick bounced off the top of the bar.

Then Robert Huth’s goal-bound header from Etherington’s corner was brilliantly pushed away on the line by Kingson.

And Kingson was in the right place again moments later after Stoke substitute Jon Walters grabbed space to head towards goal.