Accrington Stanley were denied at the death by Matty Virtue’s stoppage time equaliser for Blackpool.

There were plenty of impressive displays on the day with Sam Finley our man of the match, the midfielder’s cross leading to Curtis Tilt’s own goal that put the Reds in front.

Dimi Evtimov 6

A mixed bag from the Stanley ‘keeper. There was a sharp save from Ryan Hardie before a horrible fumble nearly let in Matty Virtue. Did well to keep his cool when plastic bottles and a flare were thrown on from the away end.

Callum Johnson 6

Solid display down the right from the full back who tried to get Stanley going. One dangerous cross led to a chance for Seamus Conneely.

Ross Sykes 6

Reds are trying to play out from the back but he doesn’t always look the most comfortable with ball at his feet. Could have done better with headed chance early on and booked for time wasting.

Mark Hughes 6

Struggled in the first half, being caught out by Joe Nuttall before Evtimov saved from Hardie. Distribution also mixed but did deny Nuttall with a block in the second half before a clash between the pair could have seen striker sent off.

Jerome Opoku 7

Looks a real prospect. Good early challenge set the tone before he was harshly booked. Fulham loanee also very comfortable with ball at his feet.

Jordan Clark 6

Plenty of endeavour but didn’t influence the game as much as he would have liked. One shot in first half went high and wide.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Sam Finley 8

Stanley’s best player on the day. A fine all-rounder in the middle of the park, his cross forced error from Curtis Tilt for the own goal while a second saw Dion Charles hit the crossbar. Got stuck in when he had to as well. 

Seamus Conneely 7

A good display from the skipper with his challenge to prevent a breaking Nuttall a one-on-one chance in the first half a real eye-catcher. Allowed Finley to play next to him.

Sean McConville 7

Ever dependable, put in a good shift out wide before impressing through the middle for the final half an hour. Attempt late on cutting in from left would have won it for hosts.

Connor Simpson 5

A tough ask for the Preston loanee on his full Stanley debut. Tried to put himself about but found it hard going against Blackpool’s back three. One bit of skill did set up Clark.

Dion Charles 7

Proving to be a fine acquisition. Saw a header come off the crossbar in the first half and mixed a real attacking threat with hard work leading the line.

Joe Pritchard 7

Replaced Simpson for the final half an hour and added some real creativity while also making sure he did his defensive work going in the other direction.

Accrington: Evtimov, Johnson, Sykes, Hughes, Opoku, Clark, Finley, Conneely, McConville, Simpson (Pritchard 56), Charles. Subs: Bursik, Edwards, Sherif, Carvalho, Alese, Diallo

Blackpool: Alnwick, Edwards (Turton 55), Heneghan, Tilt, Feeney, Spearing, Thompson (Kaikai 55), Virtue, Husband, Nuttall, Hardie (Scannell 79). Subs: Sims, Bushiri, Guy, Macdonald

Referee: John Brooks

Booked: Stanley - Opoku, Finley, Sykes. Blackpool - Turton, Nuttall

Attendance: 4,084 (2,031 away)