Pool's final hangover

The home supporters still blame former manager McMahon for their team's downfall over the past few years and, unfortunately, it was they who had the last laugh as Pool suffered a LDV Vans Trophy final hangover.

The defeat inflicted on Blackpool was simply due to the majority of the Seasiders under performing. Players such as Hills and Bullock, who were so vibrant in the Millennium Stadium a week earlier, looked flat and clueless in this game. The defence looked shaky and the Pool attack of Murphy and Taylor might as well have not turned up.

Deadline day signing Darren Dunning was given his first start in Tangerine colours but he also failed to impress in a dismal performance from the Seasiders.

Having said that, Pool were unlucky not to open the scoring early on when Scott Taylor's looping header was parried on to the Swindon bar by Bart Griemink after a Martin Bullock cross. But that was practically the only chance Blackpool created in a first half dominated by the home side.

Inevitably Pool were broken down and Swindon took the lead just after half time. And just to rub it in further for McMahon, it was a former transfer target of his that made the goal for Swindon. Danny Invincible -- the subject of a rejected £100,000 bid from Pool -- supplied a pinpoint cross for Alan Young to score the only goal of the game.

Pool had opportunities to level the scoring, as Swindon looked content to protect the one-goal lead. Tommy Jaszczun should have equalised but missed a glorious chance from eight yards, and Scott Taylor hit the woodwork for the second time.

But it was not to be and the Swindon fans, who had heckled McMahon during the game, left the ground the happier of the two sets of supporters.

The win moved them them up to 14th, two places above Blackpool who still need one more win to ensure they don't get sucked into the relegation fight at the end of the season.

Swindon Town 1 Blackpool 0

Young (46)

Attendance: 7,066