Blackpool now find themselves 4 points adrift of safety as they lost 2-0 to Shrewsbury.
A woeful spell saw McDonald’s side concede twice in 5 minutes, though Pool struggled to create much at the other end throughout the game.
McDonald abandoned his usual away defensive set up and opted to play 3 strikers in Redshaw, Cullen and Thomas.
Shrewsbury had the better of the chances in the first half and Colin Doyle had to make a good save early on when Tyrone Barnett found space to shoot.
Barnett had another chance 10 minutes later but his header looped over the bar.
Pool struggled to create chances in the first half, though Mark Cullen got through on 39 minutes but his attempt to find Thomas was gathered by ex-Pool keeper Mark Halstead.
It was a dull half of football in truth and supporters of both sides would of been glad to hear the half time whistle.
Shrewsbury introduced striker James Collins for Tyrone Barnett at the restart and the home side had a good chance on 61 minutes but Jordan Clark was denied by a decent bit of goalkeeping from Doyle.
Pool had the ball in the net on 68 minutes but Mark Cullen’s follow up from Potts’ shot was ruled out for offside.
The combination of Larnell Cole and Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro proved to be a huge problem for Pool and the latter put the Shrews ahead on 73 minutes after a through ball from Cole.
It took only 4 more minutes for the home side to add to their lead with Akpa-Akpro finding the net again after combining with Cole.
Redshaw did have a chance to pull one back a couple of minutes later but he fired his effort wide at the far post.
It was a bitterly disappointing afternoon for Blackpool who simply weren’t good enough to compete with Shrewsbury.
Town hadn’t won a home game in the league all season, so to be beaten so easily will surely disappoint Neil McDonald.
Serious questions now have to be asked about whether the side is going to compete this season or whether they are going to be left struggling for survival at the bottom of the table.
McDonald’s decision to opt for a more attacking team is understandable, but ultimately this was one of Pool’s worst performances of the season. The manager will have to have a good think about which system is most likely to produce results.
Wins have to be delivered, and fast.
