Vale push Blackburn all the way

Jansen shined in Blackburn's latest friendly

Port Vale 0-2 Blackburn

Premiership new boys Blackburn Rovers were made to work hard to overcome Port Vale in a friendly on Monday night.

Matt Jansen and Nathan Blake were both on target either side of the interval against their second division opponents.

Graeme Souness had chosen a strong Rovers team and their job was made a little easier after the home side lost defender Rae Ingram to an early leg injury.

Rovers took full advantage and took the lead after 37 minutes.

Battled hard

Jansen hammered the ball home after good support play from Craig Short.

The Valiants went close through Dave Brammer and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, while Jansen, David Dunn and Garry Flitcroft came close to extending the lead.

Port Vale battled hard for the equaliser, but it was Rovers who finished on top with Blake guaranteeing the win with just one minute remaining.

Blake had been one of many substitutes introduced by Souness and had plenty of space on the edge of the penalty area where he coolly slotted the ball into the net.

Alan Mahon, a signing during the summer from Sporting Lisbon after being on loan at Ewood Park last season, did not play because of injury.

Corrado Grabbi, Rovers other recent acquisition, also started the match.