AFC Blackpool 0 Chadderton 0: Match report

Blackpool gave starts to new signings Carl Duffy and Rick Tomlinson, while Chadderton substitute Arron Scholes was watched by famous dad Paul.

The Oldham club were on the front foot in the first half, driven forward by the impressive Sam Gibson.

An AFC side anchored by Dean Ing was strong in defence but was grateful for a couple of good saves by Kirkland. Ing was forced off before the interval following a strong challenge, and the half ended with Gibson firing over after a fluid Chadderton move.

AFC carved out their best chance early in the second half. It fell to Matt Richardson, after good work down the left by Chris Thomas, but the midfielder shot too high.

Ben Duffield fired a couple of shots wide for AFC but the game was mostly controlled by the visitors, though they could not find a way past the resolute wall of tangerine shirts.

But 10 minutes from time Duffy was adjudged to have brought down a Chadderton striker and a penalty was awarded. James Curley saw his spot-kick excellently saved by Kirkland, diving low to the right and AFC saw out the rest of the game for a valuable point

Coach Alan Williams praised his team, who will go into the Boxing Day game at Charnock Richard with confidence.

STEVE PARRIS

AFC Blackpool: Kirkland, Duffy, Richardson, Ing, Corbett, Taylor, Hanslip, Muscroft, Tomlinson, Duffield, Thomas. Subs: Shaw, Errington, Parker.