BLACKPOOL 0 BURNLEY 2

BLACKPOOL'S first North West derby of the week didn't go quite as planned - despite the Tangerines having the lion's share of play on Tuesday (April 13).

The home side started well in this all-ticket encounter and looked as strong as they did against Reading on Saturday (April 10).

The relegation-threatened Clarets never looked the better side and were flattered by the 2-0 scoreline.

But if the match did anything for Blackpool, it again underlined the lack of firepower with Martin Aldridge notably missing from the side.

Junior Bent and John Hills supplied plenty of ammunition, but a Tangerine shirt was never on the end of them. Bloomfield Road's disturbingly quiet crowd was silenced full-stop on 26 minutes when Andy Payton scored his 22nd - and it must have been the flashiest of the lot - goal of the season.

Easily more than 20 yards out, his dipping shot was inch-perfect to pass over Tony Caig's head and into the back of the net.

The goal killed off the half and there was little to speak of until three minutes into the second period, Clark Carlisle thumped a header against the post. With Blackpool again taking the initiative, passing nicely around the pitch and threatening to equalise, Burnley secured the points against the run of play.

Tony Caig was wrong-footed by a deflected header from Andy Cooke which sailed into the net.

Phil Clarkson tried to make amends three minutes from time, but a superb fingertip-save from Robert Chrichton pushed his header onto the bar and away to safety.

The result leaves Blackpool just nine points above the relegation battle with 15 to play for. Next stop, Preston.

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