Claiming the bragging rights, winning in different ways and marching on: Matt Scrafton's verdict on Blackpool's Fylde Coast triumph against Fleetwood Town

This was a Fylde Coast clash like no other. Seeing pictures and footage of supporters returning to the grounds of Tier 2 clubs, most in the South, made it all the more galling that Blackpool’s players and staff couldn’t share this victory with their supporters.

Nevertheless, those fans who watched from home via an internet stream – something, we hope, won’t be required for much longer – will be delighted with their side’s progress.

In winning a league encounter at Highbury for the first time, the Seasiders have now defeated eight of their last nine opponents. If we’re being extra-critical, and Neil Critchley has admitted as much himself, the record really ought to read nine wins from nine, but that Doncaster defeat continues to stick in the craw.

Blackpool are absolutely flying on all fronts but what impressed me the most about this latest triumph was the manner in which they accomplished their hard-earned three points.

While Critchley’s side were in dazzling form during their midweek win against Portsmouth, playing some sublime football from start to finish, they had to demonstrate some different characteristics to see off Joey Barton’s men.

Having taken an early lead, Pool dug in, rolled their sleeves up and battled their way to the victory. As defensive performances go, it was pretty much flawless, with Fleetwood failing to register a single shot on target.

As supporters of lower league clubs, sometimes it’s these dogged displays that are the most satisfying.

In recent weeks, Blackpool have shown they can win games in different ways, a vital trait to have in this division when you can’t be at your free-flowing best week in, week out, especially when you’re playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday for five or six consecutive weeks as Blackpool are currently doing.

Given the relentless nature of this congested and shortened season, it wasn’t a huge surprise to see Critchley make three changes to the side that beat Pompey on Tuesday night.

However, what was a surprise was the absence of Dan Ballard from Blackpool’s squad, the defender missing out with a fatigue injury in training – Critchley revealed post-match – that is likely to keep him out for a couple of weeks.

While Ballard is a huge loss, Blackpool’s extensive summer recruitment means they are able to bring in a centre-back of the quality of Daniel Gretarsson, who seamlessly fit back into the side at Highbury on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Ethan Robson and Keshi Anderson dropped down to the bench, allowing Grant Ward and Gary Madine to return to the fold.

The changes paid dividends, Gretarsson and Ward bringing freshness to deliver outstanding displays, while Madine – the all-important match-winner – was exceptional from start to finish.

The striker, scoring for the fourth time in six games – he’s not dubbed the ‘Goal Machine’ by Pool fans for no reason – produced the decisive moment with just 16 minutes on the clock.

Thanks to Callum Connolly’s untimely slip, Madine was gifted a free header from Sullay Kaikai’s free-kick which he nodded downward, slipping surprisingly easily under the Fleetwood keeper Jayson Leutwiler.

The hosts had made a bright enough start prior to that, Marvin Ekpiteta producing a vital block to deny Callum Camps before Charlie Mulgrew saw his vicious free-kick rebound to safety thanks to a combination of the post and Chris Maxwell.

But once Blackpool got their noses in front, they looked comfortable and their goal was never seriously under threat.

While Fleetwood, galvanised by Glenn Whelan’s introduction at the interval, exerted a bit of pressure in the second period, they weren’t able to muster a clear-cut opportunity.

In fact, the only real opening of the second-half came the way of Blackpool, as Kaikai’s low shot – which looked destined to nestle in the bottom corner – was somehow turned around the post by Leutwiler.

Roared on by a suspiciously large group of fans in the top tier of the main stand, the hosts looked to apply some pressure on the referee who, Fleetwood believed, was falling for Blackpool’s time wasting.

The Seasiders certainly managed the game well, which is something you might not expect from a fairly young group of players who are managed by a former Under-23s coach.

But in this division, you have to do what is required to claim the three points and we all know Fleetwood would have done exactly the same had they been in the same position.

One decision those of a Fleetwood persuasion probably ought to have been aggrieved with was Wes Burns’ disallowed strike in first-half stoppage time.

On first look, the Fleetwood right wing-back looked well offside as he controlled Ched Evans’ effort, which was heading wide, on the six-yard box line before poking past Maxwell.

Indeed, Burns didn’t appear greatly surprised when he heard the referee’s whistle and turned to see the linesman’s raised flag. There weren’t any remonstrations from the Fleetwood players, either.

Having watched the incident back, there probably ought to have been, with replays showing Burns appeared to be in line with Blackpool right-back Ollie Turton.

Fleetwood might have been aggrieved but in truth, they couldn’t really argue with the end result and, judging by Barton’s post-match interview, he didn’t appear to make much of an attempt to suggest his side had been hard done-by.

Instead, Blackpool were left to claim the Fylde Coast bragging rights courtesy of the ideal away display. As professional displays go, you couldn’t find a better example.

Now the two sides prepare to do it all over again in the EFL Trophy in midweek, although the significance of that fixture doesn’t bear resemblance to this league encounter.

Top of the League One form table, Critchley and his men march on.

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