IN a much-improved performance at Bloomfield Road, Pool demolish Vale with an array of second half goals.

The first win in front of the new stands finally puts Pool on 50 points, a total that should all but ensure the Seasiders will be playing Division Two football next year.

The last time Blackpool met Port Vale, Pool had top goal scorer Brett Ormerod on their cards. That was to be his last game in Tangerine colours before his record move to Premiership outfit Southampton. However as it turned out, the Seasiders coped very well without the young striker, knocking four past the visitors in 45 thrilling minutes.

Looked back it seems unimaginable that the score was 0-0 at half time. It was certainly was a game of two halves in contrast to the Tangerine-dominated second half, Vale more matched Pool in the first. In fact, the visitors recorded the first real shot on goal, on 11 minutes.

A cross from the right hand side wasnt properly dealt with by Pool defender Chris Clarke and the ball fell to Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, all alone at the back post. But fortunately for Pool his left foot volley was acrobatically tipped over by Pool keeper Phil Barnes.

Pool had to wait till the 27th minute for their first decent attempt at goal. Scott Taylors dink over the keeper just skimmed the Vale crossbar. But it was the visitors who were looking the more likely to break the deadlock. Pool had Lee Collins to thank for a last-gasp block that prevented Steve McPhee converting Marc Bridge-Wilkinsons low cross. Not long after that, Phil Barnes had to be alert again to tip over Michael Cummins ambitious header from outside the box.

But things got better for Steve McMahons in the second half, much better. Pool looked a lot livelier and they found themselves ahead within 5 minutes of the restart. John Murphy is on fire at the moment, after this game he has scored 5 goals in 3 games and it was the big striker that started and finished the move for Pools opener. After galloping down the centre of the field, Murphy found Paul Simpson on left hand side. Simpson looked up and found second half substitute Richard Walker at the back post who headed the ball back into the danger area. And there was Murphy to react fastest to hammer home from close range.

Vale still looked dangerous however, on 65 minutes Steve McPhee came within inches of an equaliser when his snap volley flew just past Phil Barnes right post. But it was Blackpool who scored next, 5 minutes later. Richie Wellens won Pool a free kick in the Vale half after being felled by fullback Matt Carragher. Hills crossed from the free kick to find Chris Clarke at the back post. He headed back towards goal where Richard Walker was on hand to stoop and head in from 6 yards an almost identical move to the one which produced Blackpools first goal.

But as when Blackpool are concerned, a two goal advantage is never comfortable enough and third is really needed to ensure the three points. Eventually Pool did grab a third, 6 minutes from time, but not before two excellent stops from Phil Barnes. The first was on the 80th minute - Bridge-Wilkinson was allowed room to pick his spot only to be denied by a smart stop to his left hand side from Barnes. Minutes later McPhee had a similar effort stopped by Barnes, it seemed the Blackpool keeper was determined to keep a clean sheet.

Blackpools third came soon after. Wellens took a throw in on the left side of the Vale box to John Hills who found space to cross into the danger area. As the Vale keeper Dean Delaney hesitated, Murphy powered in with an unstoppable bullet header for his 15th of the season. If that was an excellent goal, Martin Bullock was about to ensure that Blackpool saved the best till last in the Seasiders fourth goal of the afternoon.

Bullock picked the ball up on the halfway line and didnt stop until the ball was nestled in the visitors net. Skinning man after man, Bullock finished off with a clever chip over Delaney for what must be the goal of the season at Bloomfield Road and even the visiting support applauded the strike.

The final whistle seconds later signalled Pool's first win in front of the new stands and what a way to start. The win also means Blackpool can put relegation worries aside and concentrate on the big game in Cardiff on Sunday.

Blackpool 4-0 Port Vale

Murphy (50, 84)

Walker (71)

Bullock (90)

Att: 7811