Holloway rewarded for picking up fallen Angel

IAN HOLLOWAY remains on course for a quick return to the Barclays Premier League after being rescued by a player he plucked from Spanish second division obscurity. Angel Martinez Cervera, known as Angel, was attempting to relaunch his career with hometown club Girona after being released by Espanyol when Holloway saw something he liked and offered him a two-year deal last July. The 26-year-old midfielder (right) has forced his way into Holloway’s line-up in recent weeks and looks set to stay there after capping an energetic display with a late winner. Blackpool were running out of time when Angel pounced on a low cross from substitute Nouha Dicko and bundled the ball over the line to keep his side in the thick of the battle for play-off places. ‘A couple of agents I know told me Angel had been unlucky with injuries but that he was a fantastic player who was worth a go,’ said Holloway. ‘They were right. He has kept Barry Ferguson and

now Ludovic Sylvestre out of the side just lately. ‘It was a nice night, bbut I don’t want it all to end horribly. I can still feel the sting from last season. It was like a jellyfish got us, so we are desperate to put that right.’ Blackpool squandered three chances in as many minutes early on. Matt Phillips dragged a shot wide, Thomas Ince blazed over and Gary Taylor-fletcher had a lob blocked by keeper Andy Lonergan. Leeds, who had Darren O’dea sent off for two yellow cards, might have had a penalty when Stephen Crainey sent Ross Mccormack sprawling in the 43rd minute. They could have few complaints, though, when Angel raised the roof with his first Blackpool goal.