Blackpool's defensive frailties exposed as Lincoln City add to Seasiders' League One relegation fears

Blackpool’s relegation fears were deepened by a heavy loss at high-flying Lincoln, with a defensive collapse in the closing stages ensuring this was a miserable day on the road, writes Matty Wright.

The Seasiders were actually well in the contest at Sincil Bank for the majority of the 90 minutes played – and had good chances to boot.

But the fragility at the back that’s been apparent all season reared its head again.

There is now just a one-point gap between Blackpool and the League One drop zone after the good work at Bolton last week was undone.

The Seasiders survived a pretty big warning when Lee Moylan left Jordan Brown for dead before putting through Ben House, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell doing well to stand strong and divert his shot over.

But the visitors were giving as good as they got and they had a good chance themselves halfway through the first half when Tom Bloxham had a shot beaten away by Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens after being played in by Josh Bowler.

Lincoln then broke the deadlock after 38 minutes when a Reeco Hackett corner wasn’t dealt with at the back post, leading to McGrandles having the easy task of nodding in from right on the line.

Having been on the ropes before half-time, the Seasiders looked good early in the second half as Bowler’s deflected effort dropped narrowly wide, before Wickens saved from an Ashley Fletcher header.

Peacock-Farrell then kept his side in the contest with his second tremendous save of the afternoon when he clawed behind McGrandles’ header from Tom Hamer’s long throw.

Then came a wonderful chance for Ian Evatt’s side to equalise after 71 minutes when Fletcher squared the ball for substitute Niall Ennis, who had time to turn but he scuffed wide.

Lincoln then effectively had the game sealed for them in the 78th minute when Fraser Horsfall’s under-hit back pass allowed Street to round Peacock-Farrell before rolling into the empty net.

The pain didn’t stop there, however, as Dom Jeffries slotted in a third for the Imps to round of a slick, if unchallenged, move before Ryan One somehow managed to squeeze in a fourth from a narrow angle.

For your next Blackpool read: ‘Faded after good start. Largely pheripheral. Created chances' - Blackpool player ratings from heavy defeat at Lincoln City