Seasiders stretch unbeaten run

Image: Grayson: On form

Blackpool extended their unbeaten run to six games after defeating Derby at Bloomfield Road.

Resurgent Rams halted at Bloomfield Road

Derby's recent resurgence came to an end as Blackpool extended their unbeaten run to six games with victory in a five -goal thriller at Bloomfield Road. Simon Grayson's side have now not suffered defeat in their last half a dozen games to climb the Championship table. Blackpool led by two at half-time after goals from Alan Gow and Gary Taylor-Fletcher before a Ben Burgess strike was sandwiched between goals from Derby's Kris Commons and Mile Sterjovski. The visitors went close to grabbing a goal against the run of play when on-loan Arsenal forward Nacer Barazite crashed a shot over from 25 yards. Blackpool then had a number of quick chances, the first falling to David Vaughan but his shot was blocked by Jordan Stewart. The rebound fell to Rob Edwards on the edge of the area but he could only fire into the hands of Rams goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

Onslaught

The home side continued their onslaught and took a deserved lead as Gow knocked the ball past Leacock and fired past the helpless Bywater. That lead was doubled two minutes before the break when Taylor-Fletcher took advantage of more poor defending to find himself free in the penalty area and volley home Keith Southern's cross. The Seasiders started the second half as they ended the first and Gow could have scored a second when a poor clearance fell to the Scottish forward and he volleyed wide. Paul Jewell's side started to edge their way into the match and Barazite had a good chance from the edge of the area after good work from Commons on the left wing. Miles Addison then tested the hosts' goalkeeper Paul Rachubka for the first time when his drive was parried and gathered in at the second attempt.
Lifeline
With 58 minutes gone Derby found a lifeline when Commons scored a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards, Rachubka getting a hand to the ball but unable to keep it out. However, seven minutes later Southern broke down the left and his cross was bundled into the net by Burgess to restore the home side's two-goal advantage. Gow came close to grabbing his hat-trick when he muscled his way past Claude Davis but his shot was well saved by Bywater. Derby were gifted a goal with 13 minutes to play when Rachubka rushed out of his goal but missed the ball when he attempted to clear and Sterjovski was left with an open net. Blackpool substitute Joe Martin missed the chance to wrap up the victory with two minutes left when he raced through on goal but his shot was well saved.
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