AFC Blackpool 1 Bacup Borough 2: Report and reaction

With players unavailable, Blackpool gave a full debut to goalkeeper Andy Speight, with a first start of the season for Martin Baird and places for new signings Kit Gregory, Alex Taylor and Jordan Willder.

Manager Dave Worthington called for his side to learn lessons from the midweek defeat by Silsden and the first half went as plananed.

Both sides had good chances before Alex Taylor finished a flowing move to give AFC a deserved lead after 33 minutes.

Bacup were denied an equaliser first by Speight and then by strong defending in an almighty scramble as the hosts reached half-time 1-0 up.

However, they lost their shape in the second half and Bacup equalised through striker Wayne Morrison in the 66th minute.

The winner followed 10 minutes later as Matthew Byron exploited a mistake in the AFC defence.

Third-placed Bacup held their lead and Worthington commented: “Fair play to them - once they took the lead saw the game out well.

“The goals we conceded were poor, the second in particular. Of the five we have conceded in two games, four have been from individual errors. They need to stop now.

“The lads were told a few home truths after the game and deservedly so but we move on to Whitchurch Alport at home next Saturday.”

AFC remain 11th with three points from three games.

NEIL CARMAN

Blackpool: Speight, Baird, Betteridge, Cassidy, M Taylor, Pickering, McKenna, Mottram, A Taylor, Gregory, Willder; subs: Muscroft, Ngamba, Vaughan, Bishop, Clarke.