AFTER two weeks of FA Cup action, it took Nelson half of this game to come to terms with their NWCL Second Division opponents, by which time Blackpool had built a two-goal lead.

Mechanics grabbed the initiative with a goal after just five minutes when Robert Moore stole in at the far post to head home a cross from the by-line, with the Blues defence flat-footed.

Worse was to follow, for as Nelson tried to build from midfield they were caught out when they lost possession and Moore broke clear from the halfway line to score Mechanics second goal past a helpless Billy Carrington after 23 minutes.

Within a minute Kieran Roberts fired a shot against the Blackpool crossbar, but it was clearly not to be a lucky night for the Blues, especially with striker Carl Howarth out of touch.

Moore almost had a third goal after 37 minutes when he headed a high cross onto the Nelson crossbar.

While at the other end Carl Howarth saw his shot at goal scrambled away off the line, when normally he would have buried the chance.

Player/manager John Bailey tested the Blackpool keeper just after the interval with a great 25 yarder that had to be turned over the bar and Nelson pulled one back after 56 minutes with a well-worked goal.

Brad Pates and Glen Little found a way through the Blackpool defence and released Dave Gray who beat the keeper with a low shot in a one-on-one situation.

As Nelson tried desperately to find an equaliser their best chance fell to Roberts on 75 minutes when he controlled the ball in the goalmouth, but his shot cannoned wide off a defender to deny him a goal.

As Mechanics defended stubbornly, the Blues had two penalty appeals turned down in the closing stages, but never really looked convincing against a well-organised Blackpool team.

NELSON...1 BLACKPOOL MECH...2

NELSON'S next game is on Saturday against Curzon Ashton in the FA Vase, kick off 3pm.