'Pool Pile Pressure On Playoff Places

Blackpool certainly like to keep the fans on the edge of their seats after leaving it late to bag the 3 points down South.

It took a typical Charlie Adam drive and a team move from Barry Bannan and Stephen Dobbie to sink the pressure that Plymouth were piling on throughout the match.

Blackpool came into this game knowing that a win would keep them in the hunt for a playoff spot after a successful season under Ian Holloway, whose return to Home Park was met with only a few boo's from the boo boys.

Paul Mariner, on the other hand, knew his team must win to avoid sinking deeper into a relegation battle with them already 3 points adrift before starting the match.

With only one change to the Blackpool side, Jason Euell replacing injured Brett Ormerod, the game started pretty slowly with both teams enjoying possession.

The referee certainly didn't start slowly however, as he quickly showed Keith Southern a yellow card for unsporting behaviour inside the first 5 minutes.

It took 10 minutes for the first real chance to appear as Alan Judge's shot was scuffed wide to the right of Gilks' goal, while before that Charlie Adam's shot from his free kick whizzed over the bar.

Plymouth added pressure with Bradley Wright-Phillips' shot blocked by Ian Evatt inside the penalty area with the follow up shot well saved by keeper Gilks.

As we all know, we never score from corners and so when Billy Clarke's in-swinging corner came in, it wasn't surprising to see Ben Burgess knocking it wide, while 2 minutes later Clarke saw his attempted fly over the bar from inside the penalty area.

Plymouth weren't going to take relegation too easily and had a hattrick of chances that they should have scored from.

Danger man Jamie Mackie troubled the Blackpool side with a great volley just passing the post narrowly while Bolasie saw his shot saved by Gilks.

Blackpool ended the half having to make a substitute with an injury to Stephan Crainey who had to make way for Joe Martin before the half time whistle went.

Half Time: Plymouth 0-0 Blackpool

Whatever Ian Holloway said at half time seemed to rub off on Blackpool as instantaneously Burgess found himself onside in front of Stockdale but the keeper parried well and saved his side, while at the other end Evatt had to produce a 5 star block to deny Mackie again who went on to produce some fine shots until disaster stuck the Green Army.

Holloway made a bold move to introduce Bannan and Dobbie who came on for Euell and Clarke and what a change it was as almost 10 minutes later a fine back heel by Dobbie saw ADAM ready to pounce as he drove the ball hard and low into the net, an unstoppable strike.

With the travelling faithful still tasting the prospect of the playoffs this season, DOBBIE kept the dreams alive as a pinpoint pass from Barry Bannan netted the striker his 3rd goal for the Seasiders since joining in January.

Full Time: Plymouth 0-2 Blackpool

So, again a game of two halves. Blackpool on the back foot in the 1st half with the 2nd half a complete turnaround.

Tactical subs from Holloway gifted Blackpool their only 2nd away win since Boxing Day.

With those 3 points, Blackpool still lie 7th, 4 points behind Leicester who dropped to 6th after the loss to Derby earlier on. Cardiff up to 4th. Funny how their game in hand is against each other. Meanwhile, Plymouth chances of safety are now looking even slimmer with them 6 points from safety.

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