Stevenage 1-0 Blackpool: Seasiders continue to feel pressure after Boro defeat and results elsewhere
Blackpool were defeated 1-0 by Stevenage on the road.
Blackpool tasted their first defeat in five games - losing 1-0 to Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.
Harvey White’s second half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, as play-off hopefuls Boro moved back into League One’s top six.
The result in Hertfordshire keeps the pressure on Ian Evatt’s side, who are just above the third tier’s relegation zone, alongside wins for both Wigan Athletic and Exeter City out of the teams around them in the table.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell was on hand to make the first save of the afternoon, with the Blackpool shot stopper pushing away an effort from Matt Phillips following a quick counter attack from the home side.
Down the other end, a couple of half chances came the way of Hayden Coulson - who caused the Stevenage defence a headache with a ball into the danger zone, while also having an effort of his own blocked in the box.
There were a couple of let offs for the Seasiders towards the end of the first half.
The first was a big miss by Phillips, with the former Blackpool figure firing over from close-range after Boro were gifted time and space in the box.
That was followed by a piece of goalkeeping brilliance by Peacock-Farrell. After stopping an initial Jasper Pattenden header, the Northern Ireland international reacted quickly to deny the midfielder on the rebound as well.
The first real chance of the second half came just before the hour mark, with Leighton Clarkson hitting the post with a free kick from the edge of the box.
A cross from the midfielder also created the Seasiders next opportunity, as Coulson headed wide.
Stevenage broke the deadlock on the 66th minute, with White slotting a shot through several bodies after a slow attempt to slow the midfielder down on the edge of the area.
Phillips had a chance to swiftly double the lead, but fired a shot just wide of the back post after outmuscling Jordan Brown to create some space for himself.
White’s goal ultimately proved to be enough, with Blackpool coming up with nothing clear in terms of finding an equaliser.
Blackpool FC: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Olly Casey, Fraser Horsfall, James Husband, CJ Hamilton, Jordan Brown, Leighton Clarkson (67’), George Honeyman (77’), Hayden Coulson (73’), Niall Ennis (67’), Ashley Fletcher (67’).
Substitutes: Franco Ravizzoli, Tom Bloxham (67’), Joel Randall (77’), Dale Taylor (67’), Karoy Anderson (67’), Reuell Walters (73’), Zac Ashworth.
Your next story from the Gazette: Former Blackpool favourite opens up on special connection, being brave, and 'painful' departure.