Blackpool exited the EFL Trophy following a 4-2 defeat to Harrogate Town at the Exercise Stadium.

A disastrous start left Blackpool on the back foot as they exited the EFL Trophy with a 4-2 defeat away to Harrogate Town - as a change of competition failed to produce an upturn in fortunes.

The Sulphurites raced to a 3-0 lead inside 17 minutes at the Exercise Stadium, with Reece Smith, Anthony O’Connor and Jack Muldoon all finding the back of the net.

Emil Hansson was able to register a goal for the Seasiders ahead of the break, before Ashley Fletcher closed the gap further in the second half.

Both finishes proved to be consolations, as Muldoon secured the home side’s progression with his second of the night in the closing stages, as they were able to put their league issues to the back of their minds; unlike the League One strugglers.

Harrogate opened the scoring after just seven minutes, with Smith curling in an effort from distance on the right side - leaving the ball well out of Franco Ravizzoli’s reach.

Things quickly got worse for Blackpool, as the North Yorkshire outfit swiftly doubled their lead.

At the front post from a Smith corner, Ravizzoli couldn’t deal with a flicked effort towards goal from Warren Burrell, leaving the ball loose on the line for O’Connor to tap in from close-range.

It didn’t take long for Harrogate to extend their lead further. The Sulphurites’ first scorer of the evening added an assist to his collection, slipping through Muldoon - whose side-footed attempt from the edge of the area hit the underside of the crossbar on its way in.

The Seasiders’ first real chance came through Fraser Horsfall, with the defender placing over a headed attempt from close-range.

There were also opportunities for Tom Bloxham and Fletcher, but the former saw his effort blocked while the latter pulled his shot wide.

Down the other end, Muldoon came close to extending the Harrogate lead further, as Ravizzoli pushed away another long-distance effort.

Just before the break, the Seasiders were able to pull one back, with James Husband slotting through Hansson - who neatly finished past Belshaw.

Following the restart, Fletcher came close to instantly clawing another back, but was denied by a strong save from the Sulphurites keeper.

Belshaw’s next stop was his most impressive of the game, as he clawed away a header from Horsfall just past the hour mark.

Blackpool were eventually able to beat the 35-year-old once again, with Fletcher finding a way past him.

Despite the Seasiders enjoying a much-improved second half, they were unable to complete a mammoth comeback, with Muldoon securing the progression of the North Yorkshire club with a goal on the break in the 84th minute.

Blackpool FC: Franco Ravizzoli, Andy Lyons, Fraser Horsfall, James Husband (60’), CJ Hamilton (45’), Lee Evans, Emil Hansson, Scott Banks, Zac Ashworth, Tom Bloxham, Ashley Fletcher.

Substitutes: Harvey Bardsley, Olly Casey, Jordan Brown (45’), Hayden Coulson (60’), Theo Upton, Terry Bondo, Oluchukwu Nwankwo.

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