Derby County moved above Blackpool as Kris Commons scored twice in a 4-1 win at Pride Park.
Commons hits double as Derby boost survival bid
Derby County moved above Blackpool on goal difference as Kris Commons scored twice in a 4-1 victory at Pride Park.
Commons continued his fine form in front of goal of late with the opener on nine minutes before Blackpool levelled through Rob Edwards just past the half-hour mark.
Scotland international Commons' fourth goal in five games restored the Rams' lead on 74 minutes before Paul Green and Nacer Barazite made the points safe with strikes inside the final three minutes.
After a scrappy start it was Derby who had the first sight of goal, with Gary Teale testing Tangerines goalkeeper Matt Gilks.
And the home side were soon in front when Stephen Crainey's misdirected header let in Rob Hulse, who nipped the ball round the advancing Gilks and cut back for the on-rushing Commons who slotted the ball with a clinical right-foot finish.
Derby lost Teale to injury just 12 minutes in, but they nearly doubled their lead when Commons crossed from the right and Hulse crashed a header against the crossbar.
But the visitors started to get a foothold in the game and were deservedly level when the unmarked Edwards headed a pinpoint free-kick from the right beyond Stephen Bywater.
And there was more frustration for Nigel Clough before half-time when Miles Addison limped off with a knee injury.
Incensed
Clough was incensed just after the break when Hulse appeared to have his shirt pulled in the penalty area.
Blackpool looked lively going forward and DJ Campbell was a constant threat as he looked to break Derby's offside trap.
Campbell's strike partner Gary Taylor-Fletcher had an excellent chance to put the visitors in front but his shot was narrowly wide of Bywater's right-hand post.
And David Fox also came close with a rasping drive from just outside the penalty area.
Derby rarely threatened due to some wayward passing, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
But they restored their advantage with 17 minutes left courtesy of a moment of magic from Commons.
There looked to be no danger when the tricky forward raced away down the right, but he dropped his shoulder and created a yard of space before unleashing a stunning left-foot strike that flew into the far corner of the net to give Gilks no chance.
Commons was Derby's stand-out player and he once again broke free of his marker and played in Davies, whose low shot was saved by Gilks at his feet.
The Rams thought they had won it when Commons' free-kick was nodded home by Hulse at the back post, but as the Derby players celebrated Blackpool were taking a free-kick after the goal was ruled out, seemingly for a push by the former Sheffield United striker.
But the Rams made sure of the points when Green slotted home a third goal three minutes from time and Barazite's deflected strike a minute later gave County a fourth goal, which was harsh on Blackpool.
