Derby County 1-0 Blackpool: Seasiders lose ground in play-off race as they are left to rue missed chances at Pride Park

A superb first half strike from Ebou Adams proved to be the difference between the two teams, as the Seasiders failed to make the most of the few opportunities that came their way in the opposition box.

Elsewhere, Lincoln City overcame Leyton Orient with a 1-0 win, while Oxford United and Stevenage drew against Shrewsbury and Bolton Wanderers respectively.

The first half chance of the game came the way of Hayden Coulson, who fired a volley well over the bar from close-range. Meanwhile, down the other end, a ball into the box from Joe Ward looked dangerous, but just about beat everyone waiting.

Ahead of the half hour mark, a golden opportunity came the way of George Byers. A pass from Sonny Carey was played into the midfielder, who scuffed his first time shot wide of the post, when he should’ve been testing Joe Wildsmith.

In the Seasiders net, Dan Grimshaw was called into action, as he pushed behind a cross from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. From the resulting corner, there was a goal-line scramble, with the referee’s whistle for a foul helping Blackpool to survive.

The opening goal of the game came in the 41st minute. Adams ran onto a loose ball on the edge of the box, hitting a well-taken half-volley with his left foot to give the Rams the lead. There was a chance for Critchley’s side to instantly respond, but Karamoko Dembele was unable to get clear contact on his shot.

Following the restart, Derby had an opportunity to double their advantage, with Grimshaw producing a good save to deny Conor Washington in a one v one. Wildsmith was also on hand for a strong stop for the home team, as he pushed away a curling free kick from Sonny Carey.

In the closing stages, Louie Sibley fired an effort from the edge of the box over the bar, as Paul Warne's side looked to put the result beyond all doubt. Ultimately a second goal wasn’t required, with their defensive efforts to stop two late chances from substitute Kyle Joseph being enough to get them over the line.

The frustration of the afternoon for the Seasiders was summed up by a late yellow card for Critchley on the sidelines. With just six games remaining, it will be crucial for the Seasiders to instantly bounce back in their Good Friday meeting with Wycombe Wanderers at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool FC: Dan Grimshaw, Matthew Pennington, Marvin Ekpiteta, Olly Casey, Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (71’), Ollie Norburn (78’), George Byers, Hayden Coulson, Sonny Carey, Karamoko Dembele (71’), Jake Beesley (71’).

Substitutes: Richard O’Donnell, Callum Connolly, Matty Virtue (78’), Kyle Joseph (71’), Shayne Lavery (71’), CJ Hamilton (71’), Kylian Kouassi.