Barnsley 2 - 1 Port Vale: Pearson eases Tykes worries

Ben Pearson's first career goal and an own goal by goalkeeper Chris Neal eased Barnsley's Sky Bet League One relegation worries as they beat mid-table Port Vale 2-1.

Striker Tom Pope and Swiss defender Frederic Veseli both fired over when well-placed for the visitors before Vale captain Carl Dickinson escaped punishment after appearing to handle in his own box.

Barnsley took the lead in first-half stoppage time when winger Milan Lalkovic beat Adam Yates on the left and his cut-back was fumbled over the line by Neal.

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Pearson doubled the lead a minute after the restart, advancing at the Vale defence and striking a deflected left-foot shot beyond Neal.

Vale midfielder Colin Daniel halved the deficit with an emphatic close-range volley from Dickinson's centre in the 66th minute before Pearson cleared Pope's header off the line two minutes later.

Striker Kane Hemmings should have restored the hosts' two-goal advantage but fired wide following a good turn before Vale's penalty appeals were dismissed after a Pearson challenge on Pope.