Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Blackpool and Preston North End at Bloomfield Road as the Tangerines prevailed in the West Lancashire derby on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday 22 October 2022 17:32, UK
Blackpool stunned the Championship's meanest defence with a four-goal show to beat Preston 4-2 in a firecracker Lancashire derby at Bloomfield Road.
CJ Hamilton sealed the win with the last kick of the game by placing the ball into an open goal from 45 yards.
Jerry Yates had opened the scoring when he nodded in Blackpool's first attempt on target after 30 minutes, but Preston hit back quickly when Ben Whiteman scored from the penalty spot seven minutes before the break.
And Ryan Lowe's team appeared poised to turn the game on its head when they applied sustained pressure following the restart.
Charlie Patino altered the narrative, however, arrowing into the bottom corner after fine approach play from Sonny Carey.
Patino, the teenage midfielder on loan from Arsenal, stood up a cross for Yates to head his second of the afternoon - and eighth Championship goal this term - to put clear daylight between the teams with nine minutes remaining.
Preston refused to give up the ghost and substitute Robbie Brady's delivery caused a commotion in the Blackpool box, eventually forcing Callum Connolly to turn into his own net on 89 minutes.
The noisy locals collectively held their breath when five added minutes were signalled.
But Blackpool resisted late pressure and ultimately broke for Hamilton to have the final say on a dramatic contest.
Preston started the match brightly and Chris Maxwell produced smart stops from Brad Potts and Ben Woodburn.
It was Blackpool who made the breakthrough, however. Preston's concentration was possibly disturbed by a delay for the injured Liam Bridcutt to make way for Carey.
When play restarted with a Blackpool free kick on the right, Kenny Dougall flighted the ball to the far post. Gary Madine won the initial header, directing the ball across goal for Yates to apply a cute finish.
Preston immediately responded. Former Lillywhites 'keeper Maxwell shovelled out a long ranger from Whiteman and denied Emil Riis at close quarter, but was helpless after Marvin Ekpiteta's nibble at Riis's heels in the box.
Whiteman stroked the penalty down the middle and looked to have set the platform for a turnaround.
Preston flew out the traps after the restart.
Ekpiteta blocked a Riis shot and the same defender cleared after Whiteman's free kick ricocheted dangerously in front of goal.
But Patino collected a pass from Carey to rifle in against the run of play and lift the roof off Bloomfield Road.
Yates looked to have sealed the victory before ill-fortune befell Connolly.
But Hamilton wrapped up a memorable success for Blackpool. Preston, meanwhile, will be left wondering how a defence breached only 10 times in 16 games prior to this contest, shipped four goals on a miserable afternoon for Ryan Lowe's side.
Blackpool's Michael Appleton: "It was incredible. Before the game, the staff, the players were saying how the place was bouncing, and I knew it was anyway because I was sitting in my office, I could hear it going absolutely mental. These are the games why we all do it, the reasons why we do it and I just said to the players to milk it for all it's worth.
"Why not? Enjoy it, enjoy the moment, because there are too many moments where you're having to dig deep or struggle, these types of moments don't come around that often. Only twice a season - and I mean a proper derby, by the way. That's no disrespect to the other teams… so enjoy the moment and a couple days of recuperation. I've got a dry mouth, I'm tired, I just want to have a beer."
Preston's Ryan Lowe: "I don't like the goalkeeper going forward, especially when you're leaving a defender back, and I've told them that. Did we deserve to lose? Probably not. But they got the goals and we didn't. I am not going to go home tonight and just sit there and drink a glass of wine.
"I will be watching the game. I am a fan myself and I share their [supporters'] disappointment but they know what we are trying to do. There were some slack moments… but they are just that eager to do well for the club. We have kept the back door shut for large parts of games. We have conceded four today but that won't happen again because we will see what we can do better. And if we can have that clinical edge at the top end of the pitch, we will win more games."
