Sheffield Wednesday condemned Blackpool to a fourth straight defeat as they prevailed 2-0 at Bloomfield Road.
Tudgay and Burton on target for Brian Laws' men
Sheffield Wednesday condemned Blackpool to a fourth straight defeat on Tuesday as they prevailed 2-0 at Bloomfield Road.
Second half headers from Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton helped the Owls to victory and pushed the Seasiders further into trouble.
Blackpool threatened first in a lively contest, as Lee Hendrie, on loan from Sheffield United, collected possession and hit a fierce shot goalwards from 25 yards.
Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant saved comfortably and Wednesday began to pose a threat of their own.
In the eighth minute, Jermaine Johnson drilled a 25-yard shot into Paul Rachubka's midriff to ensure both goalkeepers were kept warm on a bitterly cold night.
The visitors threatened again moments later when Burton struck a mis-hit left-footed shot from the edge of the 18-yard box which drew a fine block from Blackpool defender Rob Edwards.
Pendulum
Yet the pendulum swung back towards the hosts in the 18th minute when Steve Kabba engineered the space to rifle an 18-yard shot goalwards, but Grant again saved comfortably.
Four minutes later, Seasiders midfielder Gary Taylor-Fletcher was given the time to strike a right-footed shot over the bar from 12 yards.
Burton then threatened for Wednesday but Edwards was alert to the danger and Blackpool breathed again.
The game improved as the half wore on and there was a flurry of half chances shortly before the interval.
Gow drilled a low shot from 25 yards narrowly wide and Wednesday's Leon Clarke hit a fierce right-footed shot that forced Rachubka into action.
Both sides were badly missing a clinical touch in front of goal and Burton blazed over the bar in the 37th minute.
Blocked
In the 40th minute, Joe Martin crossed from the flank for Blackpool, but Gow could only send his header wide from 12 yards out.
Three minutes later, Tudgay greeted an outswinging corner from Tony McMahon with a header that again failed to hit the target before Gow hit the post with a left-footed shot on the stroke of half-time.
Kabba tried his luck in the 53rd minute but saw his effort blocked by Wednesday defender Richard Wood.
Johnson then drew an outstanding save from Rachubka in the 54th minute when he hit a long-range shot which forced the goalkeeper to tip the ball around a post.
Tudgay's headed opener in the 61st minute poured confidence into the visitors and Blackpool became increasingly desperate with shots from distance that failed to seriously test Grant.
And victory was made secure for Wednesday in the 86th minute when Etienne Esajas again crossed well from the right and Burton headed into the net from six yards.
