BEATEN but far from disgraced...that was the verdict after the Seasiders lost 4-2 to Premiership Blackburn Rovers in Tuesday night's friendly at Bloomfield Road.

On a night of fireworks and celebrations Lord Tom Pendry, of the Football Foundation which funded Blackpool's new stands to the tune of £2.5 million, unveiled a plaque to officially open the stands.

And when the game kicked off it was Pool's John Hills who gave the home fans in the crowd of 7,250 plenty more to cheer as he put them ahead with a penalty kick just before half-time. Inevitably Rovers stepped up a gear and took a 4-1 lead with goals from Andy Cole (2), David Dunn and Dwight Yorke before John O'Kane hammered home a spectacular 30-yarder to set spirits soaring for the first game of the new season at Bristol City on Saturday.

See match action pictures...click here.