Plymouth 2, Blackpool 0

Scorers: Wotton (60), McGregor (88)

Saturday, October 14.

Att: 2,867

By Chris Reece

Managerless Plymouth end their run of three straight defeats with an all too easy win over sorry Blackpool. The heroics of Kidderminster have been completely forgotten as the Seasiders seem to have returned to their relegation form. Since the 4-1 win a week last Friday Blackpool have lost 5-0; thrown away a 2-0 lead at home to end up with only a point last sunday; and now have lost to managerless Plymouth who were below Blackpool before the game had started.

The game started very poorly with neither side looking dangerous. But by 20 minutes Plymouth had carved themselves two half-chances and it became obvious which side wanted the game more. By the half hour mark the ball was in the net for Plymouth. But the goal was adjudged to be offside and play continued at 0-0. Minutes later Pool were let off again when Efion Jones looked to have hacked down Wayne O'Sullivan in the box. But the referee wasn't impressed and Pool could breathe again.

Blackpool did get a chance before half time and it was arguably the best chance that either side produced in the first half. Simpson's drilled cross looked certain to produce a goal by Ormerod. But Plymouth keeper Jon Sheffield got in-between Ormerod and strike partner John Murphy and denied Pool a glorious chance. In his attempts to get a foot on the cross, Ormerod received a boot to the left knee and hobbled his way to half time.

Fifteen minutes into the second half disaster struck. Tommy Jaszczun pulled down Paul McGregor in the box and this time the referee pointed to the spot after the linesman had verified that the challenge was made inside the box. Paul Wotton had the responsibility and he made no mistake and drove the penalty past Phil Barnes with ease.

Finally, after Clarkson had been brought on for the injured Adam Nowland Pool started to step up a gear. But it was too little too late for Pool and they didn't produce any real chances worth mentioning. And Plymouth finished Pool's miserable afternoon with a last minute goal. Phil Barnes made a horrible error to give Paul McGregor the chance to finish Pool off. The former Nottingham Forest man couldn't believe his luck and he slid the ball into the empty net.

Pool now lay 21st in the league and as McMahon admitted something 'has got to change' as it seems nothing can go right at the moment. McMahon will want to get it right in next weeks' games against Mansfield and Macclesfield to rescue Blackpool's season.