Blackpool crash out of the Carabao Cup following penalty shootout defeat to Barrow

Michael Appleton’s men were beaten 4-3 on penalties after the game ended goalless at Bloomfield Road.

Callum Connolly and Lewis Fiorini were the two men to miss for the Seasiders, who only have themselves to blame for their failure to make it into the next round.

The Seasiders were held to a frustrating draw during the regular 90 minutes after failing to find their way past an inspired Paul Farman in the Barrow goal.

While they were insipid and pedestrian during a dour first 45 minutes, the hosts improved in the second period and had more than enough chances to win the game in normal time.

But they were made to pay on spot kicks after showing a real lack of quality in the final third.

Charlie Patino and Theo Corbeanu were handed their first starts in tangerine after making sub appearances against Stoke City at the weekend.

The duo were two of seven changes to the Blackpool side that lost 2-0 at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Chris Maxwell replaced Dan Grimshaw in goal, while Jordan Thorniley stepped in for Rhys Williams to partner Marvin Ekpiteta in the centre of defence.

Callum Connolly and Dom Thompson retained their places at right-back and left-back respectively.

Patino started in a midfield three alongside Kenny Dougall and Lewis Fiorini, while CJ Hamilton and Corbeanu started either side of Shayne Lavery.

Matty Virtue, Josh Bowler, Jerry Yates and Gary Madine all dropped out of the side - the latter not involved at all.

Jordan Gabriel and James Husband returned from injury to start on the bench for his first involvement of the 2022/23 season.

Elsewhere, Luke Garbutt, Doug Tharme, Kevin Stewart. Keshi Anderson and Jake Beesley all remain sidelined.

Richard Keogh was left out ahead of a prospective move to League One side Ipswich Town.

Barrow, who have won their opening two league games of the campaign, started fairly brightly, buoyed by an enthusiastic 800 or so away fans that made the trip from Cumbria.

Blackpool soon took over though in terms of general play, opting to take a patient approach with their build-up play which verged on ponderous at times.

Appleton’s side were dominating in terms of territory, but they had very little to show for it in the way of actual chances in front of goal.

In the 33rd minute, the home side finally produced a shot on goal, albeit it was a fairly tame effort from the angle from Corbeanu which Paul Farman comfortably saved.

A rare venture forward from Barrow 10 minutes before the break required a vital headed clearance from Marvin Ekpiteta, otherwise Josh Gordon would have been left with a free header from within the six-yard box.

Thankfully we saw more action within the first five minutes of the second-half than we did in the entirety of the first 45.

Three minutes into the second period, we finally saw a genuine chance as the Seasiders went close to edging their noses in front.

Lewis Fiorini was the architect, waltzing his way into the box before seeing his pullback ricochet off a Barrow defender and bobbling just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Josh Kay skipped past Callum Connolly and Marvin Ekpiteta far too easily before stumbling at the vital moment, allowing the Seasiders to recover and clear behind for a corner.

Pool finally showed a bit of intent through Corbeanu, who cut in from the right before unleashing a powerful, rising effort which flew just over the Barrow bar.

It turned out to be the winger’s final action of the night as he was replaced by Beryly Lubala on the hour mark, while Gabriel and Husband marked their returns from injury in place of Kenny Dougall and Thompson.

Sonny Carey also replaced Patino, and the four changes finally gave the Seasiders a much-needed boost they were desperately looking for.

CJ Hamilton sent a powerful effort hurtling towards goal which Farman somehow spilled wide before Lubala headed down into the turf and over from a corner.

Blackpool continued to probe and came closer and closer to finding a breakthrough, as a close-range effort from Lavery following a spell of pinball in the Barrow box was deflected narrowly over.

Fiorini was the next man to test Farman in the Barrow goal, seeing his swerving long-range effort pushed over.

Despite the missed chances, it was refreshing to see the home side finally play with a bit of intent, which got the crowd up as a result.

Hamilton then went close with a glancing header, denied by Farman again following a dangerous right-wing cross from Carey.

As the game ticked over the 90 minutes, with penalties looming, Barrow were given a late chance to steal a true smash and grab winner when John Rooney beat the Blackpool wall with a 30-yard free-kick, but thankfully Maxwell was there to make the save.

With neither side able to break the deadlock, that meant the game went straight to penalties rather than 30 minutes of extra-time.

Callum Connolly and Lewis Fiorini failed to find the target for the home side, gifting Barrow a spot in the second round.

TEAMS

Blackpool: Maxwell, Connolly, Ekpiteta, Thorniley, Thompson (Husband), Dougall (Gabriel), Patino, Fiorini, Corbeanu (Lubala), Hamilton, Lavery

Subs not used: Moore, Williams, Virtue, Carey, Bowler, Yates

Barrow: Farman, Brough, McClelland, Canavan, Kay, White, Gotts (Rooney), Foley (Neal), Warren, Gordon (Waters), Whitfield (Stevens)

Subs not used: Lillis, Taylor, Nwabuokei, Smales-Braithwaite, Ellis

Referee: Ben Speedie