MK Dons 4-3 Blackpool

Blackpool slumped out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle last night after losing 4-3 to League One MK Dons 4-3 (after extra time).

Manager Ian Holloway was absent from the game as he chose to scout a potential transfer target instead, leaving ‘Pool to be managed by Steve Thompson and Steve McPhee.

The Seasiders made ten changes from the side that lost at Arsenal, but still fielded a side that should have been capable of beating their opponents. MOTD pundit John Motson who was at the game scouting the Seasiders ahead of their game against Chelsea next month will have been left distinctly unimpressed and probably nonplussed as well.

Inside a minute though, MK Dons were ahead. Sam Baldock raced onto a through ball before firing home past Mark Halstead.

Baldock nearly doubled the hosts’ lead minutes later with an identical effort, but this time his shot went wide. Baldock then stabbed the ball just wide on the half hour as the hosts dominated proceedings.

Blackpool’s best chance of the first half probably fell to Brett Ormerod, but he could only find the side netting.

Ormerod then had an effort ruled out for offside five minutes into the second half, but two equalise after 52 minutes; volleying home after some good build up play.

However, just three minutes later the hosts were back infront; Jermaine Easter firing home from the edge of the area. Two minutes later he made it 3-1, with ‘Pool’s woeful defending surely a massive concern for Ian Holloway.

Just a minute later though it was 3-2; Ludovic Sylvestre scoring with a freekick that evaded everyone.

‘Pool then threw on Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Charlie Adam, and Elliot Grandin as they looked for an equaliser.

And find an equaliser they did on 82 minutes; Charlie Adam converting a penalty after a foul on Brett Ormerod.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Ormerod had another goal ruled out for offside whilst MK Dons’ Peter Leven hit the post, and the game went to extra time.

GTF and Adam went close, but it was MK Dons who had the best chance of the first half of extra time; Danny Coid clearing the ball off the line.

Lewis Guy did put the Dons back in front five minutes into the second half though; beating the ‘Pool offside trap yet again and firing home. The nearly 800 ‘Pool fans in attendance collectively held their heads in their hands.

And that’s how it finished.