Rochdale 3 Blackpool 0

Neil McDonald’s men totally collapsed in the second half and showed no sign at all of the fight which will be needed to drag themselves out of the bottom four.

In a cagey opening 45 minutes Pool had the brighter chances, the pick being Jacob Blyth’s left-footed effort on the half-hour mark.

But on the stroke of half-time Rochdale took the lead when former Pool trainee Ashley Eastham headed home from ten yards.

Ironically he was released by the Seasiders just three years ago after coming through their youth system.

The goal gave Rochdale a real boost and shortly after the half-time break it was game over when Joe Bunney took advantage of slack defending to blast home from four yards.

As Pool’s travelling fans looked for a reaction none came, and it was soon three when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing poked home from ten yards.

The second half display was as poor as you’ll see from any group of players in a Blackpool shirt.