Match ends, Blackpool 0, Derby County 2.
BlackpoolBlackpool0DerbyDerby County2
Malcolm Ebiowei and Eiran Cashin scored their first senior goals as already relegated Derby County ended a run of nine consecutive away defeats with a battling victory over Blackpool.
A first half lacking in quality saw both sides struggle to create opportunities, but the Seasiders squandered the best chance to go ahead when Gary Madine saw his penalty saved by Kelle Roos after James Husband had been felled in the area by Festy Ebosele.
Both sides improved after the interval, with Kirk and Madine both going close for the hosts.
But Ebiowei fired home the opening goal from inside the box after a smart cross by Ravel Morrison.
Victory in front of more than 4,000 travelling fans was all but assured when the excellent Ebiowei sent in an inviting free-kick which Cashin converted past keeper Chris Maxwell.
Third-from-bottom Derby's 14th win of the season capped a more encouraging week for Wayne Rooney's troubled side, with the Rams boss saying that he expects to have the club's takeover agreed in the next 10 days.
Chris Kirchner was earlier this month named as the preferred bidder to buy the Rams and take them out of administration.
Meanwhile, Blackpool are 16th in the table but could still climb as high as 10th with victory against Peterborough United on the final day of the season on Saturday, 7 May.
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley: "When you get a crowd like we had today, you want to give them a day to remember with some goals and a win. Unfortunately, we've not been able to do that.
"The game probably epitomised our season a bit. We were the better team in large parts, but didn't finish our chances. We conceded two really poor goals, and that was frustrating.
"Gary had his penalty saved - the goalkeeper pulled off a very good save. We've had other chances and lots of moments in the final third which we didn't finish.
"It's obviously disappointing to lose but it doesn't change my opinion of the season as a whole. We've had a very good season."
Derby boss Wayne Rooney: "I'm delighted. We weren't at our best. It's as poor a performance as we've had for while.
"But football's a funny game. We kept a clean sheet. Kelle kept us in a with a great penalty save. We got the first goal, which is so important, saw the game out and came away with three points.
"We dug in. The lads have showed spirit and togetherness all season. It was a big moment for Malcom and Cash to get their first goals.
"We've had incredible support all season. The fans deserve a lot of credit. We are proud of the fans and I'd like to say thank you to the Blackpool fans for clapping the players off."
Line-ups
Blackpool
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Maxwell
- 2ConnollyBooked at 81mins
- 26Keogh
- 34ThornileySubstituted forCaseyat 45'minutes
- 3HusbandSubstituted forGarbuttat 32'minutes
- 22Hamilton
- 12Dougall
- 10Anderson
- 27KirkSubstituted forYatesat 79'minutes
- 19Lavery
- 14Madine
Substitutes
- 6Stewart
- 7Dale
- 9Yates
- 16Carey
- 20Casey
- 29Garbutt
- 32Grimshaw
Derby
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21Roos
- 36EboseleBooked at 88mins
- 33DaviesBooked at 84mins
- 41Cashin
- 3Forsyth
- 35WatsonSubstituted forThompsonat 81'minutes
- 8Bird
- 32EbioweiSubstituted forAghatiseat 87'minutes
- 11Morrison
- 38Knight
- 48PlangeSubstituted forSibleyat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Byrne
- 16Stearman
- 17Sibley
- 31Allsop
- 42Thompson
- 44Aghatise
- 49Cybulski
- Referee:
- Andy Davies
- Attendance:
- 15,298
Match Stats
Home TeamBlackpoolAway TeamDerby
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackpool 0, Derby County 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jerry Yates (Blackpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Shayne Lavery.
Post update
Richard Keogh (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Osazee Aghatise (Derby County).
Booking
Festy Ebosele (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Shayne Lavery (Blackpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Festy Ebosele (Derby County).
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Osazee Aghatise replaces Malcolm Ebiowei.
Post update
Corner, Blackpool. Conceded by Craig Forsyth.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jerry Yates (Blackpool) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kenneth Dougall with a headed pass.
Booking
Curtis Davies (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Shayne Lavery (Blackpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Curtis Davies (Derby County).
Post update
Foul by Oliver Casey (Blackpool).
Post update
Louie Sibley (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Blackpool 0, Derby County 2. Eiran Cashin (Derby County) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Malcolm Ebiowei with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
Callum Connolly (Blackpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Callum Connolly (Blackpool).
Post update
Jason Knight (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Comments
Join the conversation
They've had to grow up quickly and
are a credit to the coaching staff.
They've done their fans proud.
Still, a really enjoyable season at the games and hope we finish on a high next week.
DTID