ACCRINGTON Stanley were beaten for second successive game as Lancashire rivals Blackpool won 2-1 at the Wham Stadium.

Matty Virtue gave the Seasiders the lead but Stanley equalised through Luke Armstrong in the first half.

A second half Jay Spearing penalty secured the three points while Reds goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov was sent off late on.

It was a lively start and Blackpool wasted no time in asserting their dominance as Virtue scored his first goal for the club inside five minutes.

The former Liverpool youngster was given too much time in the box and picked his spot nicely to give the Seasiders the lead.

Jordan Clark should have levelled things instantly when he was played through in the box but his right footed shot cleared the away stand.

John Coleman’s men settled after they fell behind and found their way back in to the game after 23 minutes. Lovely interplay in midfield set Liam Gibson free on the left and found Armstrong to equalise.

Sam Finley, who was excellent all game, connected with a fantastic strike in the opening five minutes of the second half but saw his shot smash the upright.

At the other end Evtimov made a fantastic double save from Armand Gnanduillet to preserve the lead.

Finley then fired wide when he should have hit the target before Blackpool found the winner,

Liam Feeney was brought down in the box by Callum Johnson and captain Spearing smashed the penalty down the middle.

With the away fans celebrating behind Evtimov’s goal and the keeper was then shown a straight red card, understood to be for throwing a bottle from the pitch back into the away end.

The decision enraged Coleman who was booked, along with Blackpool assistant boss Gary Brabin, in some unsavoury scenes late on.

Stanley: Evtimov 7; Johnson 7, Donacien 6, Hughes 7, Rodgers 7 (89’ Kee), Gibson 7 (Wood 82); Clark 7 (84’ Maxted), Finley 8, Barlaser 7, McConville 7; Armstrong 7. Unused subs: Brown, Zanzala, Williams, Smyth

Blackpool: Howard; Turton, Tilt, Heneghan, Anderton; Evans (62’ Thompson), Spearing, Virtue (74’ Pritchard), Feeney; Dodoo (50’ Long), Gnanduillet. Unused subs: Boney, Daniels, Delfouneso, Taylor