Another win, another clean sheet, ill-discipline and red card drama: Matt Scrafton's verdict on Blackpool's magnificent win against NINE-man Charlton

Given Lee Bowyer is probably most famous – or should that be infamous? – for an on-pitch scuffle with his then Newcastle United teammate Kieron Dyer, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised his Charlton side are a little ill-disciplined at times.

Okay, that’s a little unfair. Bowyer is a talented, young manager with a promotion from League One already on his CV.

But there’s a good reason why the Addicks have been shown six red cards this season, the most of any side in the third tier. Chuks Aneke, who was the second player to see red at The Valley on Saturday, unforgivably has two dismissals in his last three games.

At one point, it was clear Charlton had lost their heads, players and staff alike. They were bemoaning every decision and behaving as if the whole world was against them.

Neutral observers might look at the end result and the dismissals and put two and two together, but it’s important to stress the red cards had little bearing on the end result.

The Seasiders were already leading 2-0 by the time Darren Pratley, who was fortunate to avoid a red card in the first-half, was shown a second yellow for a needless off-the-ball collision with Jordan Gabriel.

It was a two-goal lead Neil Critchley’s side thoroughly deserved thanks to a dominant and ultra-professional first-half display, one that was perhaps as one-sided as we’ve seen from Blackpool this season.

It was a scrappy opening period, it must be said, but Blackpool won the battle, were consistently first to every second ball and subsequently enjoyed an impressive level of control and territory as a result.

Their early goal was key, too. Jerry Yates was the man to get it, slotting a penalty down the middle after the magnificent Ellis Simms had been hauled to ground by Deji Oshilaja inside the area after latching onto a clever Sullay Kaikai throughball.

Simms ran Oshilaja ragged all afternoon and probably ought to have had another penalty off the Charlton centre-back later on in the half, but that really would have rubbed salt into the wound.

Charlton almost hit back shortly afterwards when Preston North End loanee Jayden Stockley headed past Chris Maxwell, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside. It was tight, and it was an awkward one for the linesman to judge as there were a sea of bodies all heading in different directions, but Stockley looked to be marginally off.

But for the Addicks, who have now lost their last four home games on the spin, increasing the pressure on the under-fire Bowyer, that was as good as it got. In fact, Charlton failed to muster a single shot on target. Bowyer can perhaps count himself a little fortunate there were no fans in attendance...

As the half wore on, the only thing lacking from Blackpool’s dominant performance was a second goal to put Charlton out of their misery and put the game to bed.

But Matty Virtue soon rectified that, producing one of his trademark long-range strikes eight minutes before the interval that flew into the back of the net via the inside of the post – scaringly similar to the goal he scored against Bradford City a couple of years ago.

Bowyer, a manager that wears his heart on his sleeve, just as he did as a player, was furious and rang the changes at half-time, four in total.

It proved futile though as within two minutes of the interval Pratley was given his marching orders. Five minutes later, the game was as good as over when Yates netted his second penalty of the game and his 13th goal of the season after a fairly soft-looking awarding.

Clearly incensed and feeling everything was going against them, the home side lost their heads and for a little while things threatened to boil over.

To their credit, the 10 men recovered relatively well and put up a bit of a fight at least, even if it never looked wholly convincing. You certainly sensed Blackpool were happy to take their foot off the pedal as well and see out the remainder of the game with the handbrake on.

Had they really wanted to plough on and find a fourth, fifth and sixth, I’m sure they could have given the level of their dominance.

But when two-goal striker Yates was taken off just after the hour-mark and given an early breather, that shows you the Seasiders felt it was job done and already had one eye on Tuesday night’s game against Crewe.

Charlton’s capitulation was complete five minutes from time when Aneke, one of the four to come on at half-time, was shown a straight red for throwing an elbow at Dan Ballard. It was stupidity of the highest order.

Pool were in cruise control when the full-time whistle was eventually blown to signal their third straight victory and their second of back-to-back away wins. Claiming six points from Portsmouth and Charlton, two of the biggest sides at this level, is no mean feat.

The Seasiders have now won five of their last six games and all of those victories have been accompanied by clean sheets, which has been the true secret to their recent success.

Doing so without Daniel Gretarsson, Marvin Ekpiteta and now James Husband - who suffered a calf injury at the end of Saturday’s warm-up - is mightily impressive.

Husband was due to start the game in central defence alongside Ballard, only to be withdrawn late on and replaced by Jordan Thorniley.

Despite his unexpected start, Thorniley was in inspired form and barely put a foot wrong all afternoon. He was just one of several impressive performers, but his display coming off the back of no real preparation warrants singling out.

The games continue to come thick and fast, but still Blackpool march on. Charlton are now just a point ahead of them in the league table despite playing four games more.

Critchley’s men have other teams in their sights though, with the play-offs now within tantalising touching distance.

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