Oxford United 2-1 Blackpool: Time running out for Simon Grayson as Seasiders' alarming run continues

Blackpool’s alarming run continued with a dismal defeat against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

The Seasiders squandered a one-goal lead, Gary Madine giving them the lead with a composed finish with his first goal for the club since his return.

But Pool were otherwise unable to muster any clear-cut opportunities while looking equally shaky at the back.

It didn’t take long for Oxford to respond, Marcus Browne seeing a shot deflect off teammate Mark Sykes and into the back of the net.

Browne then bagged the decisive goal just before the break, curling home after the Seasiders had failed to clear their lines.

It sees even more pressure mount on manager Simon Grayson, who has now overseen an alarming run of 10 games without a win in all competitions.

The Seasiders, who are now 15th and 13 points off the play-offs, have now lost six of their last seven games in league outings - their last win coming on December 7.

Grayson rang the changes once again, making four in total from the midweek defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

In came Chris Maxwell for his debut, replacing Mark Howard who dropped out of the squad altogether.

Liam Feeney and Armand Gnanduillet, surprisingly dropped at Adams Park on Tuesday night, came back into the side.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also came in for his first start having netted a late consolation off the bench against the Chairboys.

Grant Ward, Nathan Delfouneso and Joe Nuttall were the three to make way, all dropping to the bench.

New signings Ben Garrity and Taylor Moore were not involved having not been registered in time, while Calum Macdonald, Ryan Edwards, James Husband and Sullay Kaikai all remain sidelined.

The Seasiders looked nervy right from the outset, Ben Heneghan having an attempted clearance charged down from the kick-off before Jordan Thorniley was booked after hauling Marcus Browne to the ground.

In Pool’s first venture forward, Feeney had the opportunity to play Gary Madine through on goal only for his through-ball to ricochet off a defender and straight to the goalkeeper.

Madine made no mistake when he did eventually find himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper 10 minutes in, slotting home to give the Seasiders the ideal start.

It came after the ball had deflected off Feeney into his path, leaving two Oxford defenders in his wake, and the striker showed impressive composure to twist and turn past his man before cooly beating Simon Eastwood.

Grayson’s men kept up the pressure, Connor Ronan and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall both making a massive difference in the middle of the park with their calmness and composure on the ball.

Unfortunately Pool’s lead didn’t last long, Oxford levelling matters just seven minutes later with a goal out of nothing.

The move started Pool’s left-hand side once again, Sam Long given too much space to deliver a cross that deflected into the path of Browne, whose shot deflected off teammate Mark Sykes and past Maxwell.

Oxford, playing more of a patience game building from the back, continued to cause panic among Pool’s defence - especially Jordan Thorniley who looked nervy early on for a second game running.

The home fans were screaming for a red card to be shown to Marc Bola 10 minutes before the break after the left-back clattered into a challenge just seconds after Jay Spearing did exactly the same.

A small melee ensued but, once the players calmed down, the referee sensibly flashed a yellow card in Bola’s direction.

Oxford completed their turnaround on the stroke of half-time, Pool being undone in the most basic fashion.

They failed to deal with a free-kick swung into their box, which deflected off a head to Browne at the back post.

The dangerman was left completely unmarked before producing a pinpoint curling finish into the top corner, giving Maxwell no chance.

The hosts threatened to add a third before the first-half was up, Nathan Holland seeing a low, dipping effort pushed away by Maxwell.

After a quiet opening to the second half, Oxford squandered a priceless chance to make it 3-1 when Holland somehow managed to blaze wide of goal.

It followed some woeful defending, Ben Heneghan failing to win his initial header before his fellow defenders were pulled here, there and everywhere.

A minute later, Heneghan almost brought his side level when he saw a back-post header cleared off the goalline.

Oxford soon took the initiative and went in search of that goal-deciding third goal.

Cameron Brannagan rammed a powerful shot down the throat of Maxwell before Browne came close once again, seeing an effort denied by the legs of the Pool keeper after getting in behind the backline.

The Seasiders did come close 12 minutes from time when Feeney slammed a volley towards goal that hit teammate Madine and bounced just wide.

Dewsbury-Hall, who enjoyed a strong first start in the team, drilled a low shot into the side netting with just two minutes remaining.

The Seasiders wasted a golden opportunity to snatch a point at the death in the fourth of six minutes added on

George Thorne’s attempted passback fell straight to the feet of Madine who, bearing down on the goalkeeper, could only curl against the outside of the post.

It proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Pool, who went home empty-handed yet again.

TEAMS

Oxford: Eastwood, Ruffels, Dickie, Gorrin, Brannagan, Long, Mousinho, Henry (Kelly), Sykes (Thorne), Holland (Mackie), Browne

Subs not used: Stevens, Moore, Hanson, Taylor

Blackpool: Maxwell, Turton, Heneghan, Thorniley, Feeney, Bola, Spearing (Virtue), Ronan (Delfouneso), Dewsbury-Hall, Madine, Gnanduillet (Nuttall)

Subs not used: Sims, Howe, Ward, Scannell

Referee: Josh Smith

Attendance: 7,525