Blackpool 0 – 1 Cardiff

Saturday’s hero Wes Hoolahan was sidelined with a back strain meaning Andy Welsh got a rare start, whereas Keigan Parker replaced Andy Morrell in attack.

From the off it was clear that ‘Pool were going all-out to build on Saturday’s success with Andy Welsh going close on 2 occasions, both saved in spectacular fashion by Schmeichel Jr. in the Cardiff goal.

It would be the visitors that would take the lead thanks to a wonderstrike from Steve Thompson with just 15 on the clock. ‘Chubs’ had no chance of saving it.

Ben Burgess should have levelled things up for the Seasiders as he was clean through with the ball bouncing up in front of him before lashing a shot for the far corner, only seeing it wide. More composure needed as even a simple flick past the on-rushing ‘Keeper would have seen the home side back on terms.

Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink (affectionately re-named ‘Eddie’ by the ‘Pool fans for his resemblence to Eddie Murphy < guffaw > ) nearly had the last laugh of the first half as he pounced on a mistake from Mike Jackson as he slipped and let in the former Chelsea man on goal. However Chubs was equal to it.

After the break, Stephen Crainey bombed forward and found himself in space, as he did so, cries from the ‘Pool fans to shoot were obeyed and he let rip a pearler from 30 yards, only to be denied by a fully out-stretched Schmeichel.

Andy Welsh almost became the provider of an equaliser as a corner from the right was met by the head of Shaun Barker who headed narrowly over the bar.

This was then followed up on 76 minutes as Andy Welsh once again floated a ball into the area onto the head of Ben Burgess who nodded the ball down to Taylor-Fletcher who unleashed a fantastic volley toward goal, only to have it crash back off the crossbar.

Morrell, the returning Adrian Forbes and Ian Evatt were all brought into the fray in the closing stages but none of them had much impact on the game.

Cardiff nearly grabbed a 2nd goal late on, but were thwarted by Stephen Crainey with a last-gasp goal-line clearance onto the post after McPhail rolled the ball past an on-rushing Rachubka.

Another disappointing night in front of goal for the Seasiders as once again, chances were created but not taken which leaves them in 18th position in the division, 3 points off the relegation zone. It could have – and possibly should have – been 6 points and 13th place…