Blackpool were defeated in the FA cup first round as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Barnet.
McDonald made six changes to the side that lost at Bradford, with Martin Paterson and Kwame Thomas starting up front together.
It was Thomas who had Blackpool’s best chance early on but his effort from Cubero’s set up rolled just wide. Just before this Sam Muggleton and Chris Weston went close for Barnet.
Things took a turn for the worse as Colin Doyle was forced off after half an hour with an injury, with Kyle Letheren coming on in his place.
Letheren was thrown straight into action as a succession of corners led to several headed efforts on the Blackpool goal, with the final one from Tom Champion ending up in the back of the net.
The Seasiders tried to respond and Jarrett Rivers deflected effort forced a save out of Stephens in the Bees goal.
Barnet were much the better side however and added to their lead before halftime when Luke Gambin’s cross was headed in by Gash to make it 2-0.
Pool failed to put together an adequate response to falling behind in the second half and had few chances. McDonald tried to change things by bringing on Connor Oliver and Mark Cullen but the changes failed to produce much attacking threat.
It could easily have been three when John Akinde went through on goal, but his effort flew over the crossbar.
Pool did have a good chance late on when Henry Cameron’s cross was met by Cullen, but his attempt on goal was saved by Stephens and then kept out by the crossbar.
The game ended 2-0 to the home side.
It was another poor game from Blackpool who are very much in bad form again now.
Just a couple of weeks ago it appeared as though the side were turning a corner, but McDonald now faces a big task of getting his side back into form and it must be done soon.
Next up for Pool is a trip to Wigan in the JPT.
