Accrington 4 – 4 Blackpool

(Accrington win 4-2 on penalties)

Pool were dumped out the cup in a entertaining but rather worrying defeat to Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley

Pool named a weakened side but one within in the rules, Marc Jopesgh replaced Captain Micheal Jackson which meant Barker, captain for the night, fitted in next to Evatt. In midfield Simon Gillet replaced Hoolahan, And Bean and Jorgensen replaced Southern and Fox. Upfront Blinks partnered Parker.

With 5 minutes before kick off there was still 100 Pool fans outside the ground and with lack of change people were able to enter for a tenner, I don`t think Accrington were prepared for such a following on such a cold night.

Accrington came the closed to opening the scoring when a shot flashed just wide of the post after good build up by Mullin who impressed throughout the night.

Pool took the lead when a cross from Keigan Parker was met by Gillett at the far post who guided his header into the top corner past Elliot.

Accrington equalized just before half time, after not clearing defensive lines Accy managed to get a lucky break and Craney was able to fire in from 2 yard after the ball fell nicely.

In the second half Pool kicked towards the away end and it only took 10 minutes to regain the lead a corner from Gillett found Barker who nodded in from closed range.

Accy then equalised with the goal of the night, Todd twisting and turning Dickinson and firing into the far corner. Accy then took the lead for the first time in the evening, a long ball was flicked on into a empty net by Mullin with Evans in no man`s land.

Grayson changed formation going 4-3-3, with Burgess replacing Forbes. Parker who was hot and cold on the night was brought down in the box after some good work. Substitute Ben Burgess and sent the keeper the wrong way for his first goal in a Tangerine shirt.

Parker should have wrapped the win up when he went clean through but his lob went narrowly wide.Pool then regained the lead with Burgess megging the keeper with a header from another Gillett corner.

In the 90 min Accy grabbed the 8th goal of the night when a shot from Williams though a crowd was spilled into the net by Evans who was having a shocker.

In the shoot out, Gillett and Dickinson scored with Burgess and then Parker having their penalties saved by Elliot.

Despite the entertainment level it was worrying to see the defence being pulled about with Dickinson being in trouble numerous time.

At least we now are able to concentrate on the league but a continuation of our winning run would have been nice.

Accrington Stanley: Elliot, Cavanagh, Williams, Welch (Edwards 55), Richardson, Todd, Proctor, Craney, Harris, Doherty (Mangan 90), Mullin (Brown 90).
Subs Not Used: Dubourdeau, N’da.



Blackpool: Evans, Joseph, Barker, Evatt, Dickinson, Forbes (Burgess 61), Bean (Donnelly 36), Jorgensen, Gillett, Parker, Blinkhorn.
Subs Not Used: Clancy, Tierney, Burns.