Cancelled out

The 5-2 win had left 'Pool supporters buzzing and there was an air of anticipation prior to the match but in the end both teams simply cancelled each other out.

Seasiders boss Steve McMahon was first to admit his disappointment commenting after the game, "It was disappointing after Tuesday night. I didn't think we played and passed enough in dangerous areas"

That said, the 0-0 draw wasn't the worst result that could have happened even if it wasn't the one expected.

For Swindon had won their opening two game of the season scoring 8 goals and as McMahon went on to point out, the clean sheet achieved by Pool was pleasing.

This was the only negative point that could be taken away from Tuesday night - that despite being excellent going forward, Pool looked edgy at the back and were punished by two soft goals from Luton.

But there was none of that in this game and McMahon had nothing but praise for his defence, in particular centre back Ian Hughes.

"I was disappointed in a lot of ways, but I was delighted with Ian Hughes and a clean sheet, it was great defending, I was delighted with his performance".

Hughes was indeed the rock at the back for Pool and he deservedly earned the sponsors' Man of Match Award. Yet with only 20 minutes to go before kick off, Hughes wasn't even in the starting 11.

He was given a surprise chance when Chris Clarke pulled up with an injury in the pre-match warm-up.

Replacement Hughes was the only alteration to an otherwise unchanged Blackpool line-up.

Fans expecting the game to start with a flood of Blackpool attacks and chances were disappointed as the opening 20 minutes of the game saw limited opportunities from the Seasiders.

Paul Dalglish came closest with two dipped efforts from within the penalty area but both had too much weight on them and were always going to sail over the bar.

In fact it was the visitors who looked the sharper. Whilst Pool failed to produce flowing passing moves, Swindon frustrated their opponents by keeping the ball well in the centre of the field.

One such move from the Magpies after half an hour produced what was to be the closest either side got to scoring. Former Seasiders target Danny Invincible came agonisingly close to scoring when his volley at the back post from a long cross came crashing of the underside of the Blackpool bar.

The second half was even more disappointing as both teams failed to get a grip on a game in the sweltering heat. Pool boss made a couple of changes, bringing on striker Scott Taylor and John O'Kane but both failed to inspire the game. Pool's best chance came from Martin Bullock who saw his volley wonderfully saved after an almost identical move to the one that produced Invincible's attempt for Swindon in the first half.

Paul Dalglish also had a few goalscoring chances and John O'Kane was presented with a golden opportunity in the dying seconds but both failed to hit the target. At the other end, Pool prevented Swindon from any real threat to Phil Barnes' goal and like Blackpool, an array of second half substitutes from the visitors failed to yield any result.

It's away to Northampton next for Blackpool on Friday night. A combination of Tuesday's attacking and this match's defending is what Steve McMahon's men will be looking for.

Blackpool 0, 0 Swindon