POOL boss Steve McMahon obviously had one eye on Sundays LDV Vans Trophy Final when he selected his team for this game.

A second-rate Blackpool side, that excluded regulars such as Barnes, Hills and Coid were no match for high flying Brentford as the visitors walk away from Bloomfield Road with the points. Manchester United may be able to field a reserve team and still win, but unfortunately Blackpool cannot.

McMahon apologised after the match to the fans that watched the game which left fuming, "We have had three home games on the trot and now we have got a big final. McMahon said, I know some of the fans will have thought they had wasted their money tonight and I apologise for that and I hope some of the players are prepared to do so too.

But McMahon went on to explain why he chose to pick the players he did, "I wanted to give some of my squad a rest and see if others were prepared to make me stand up and give them a place as well. The end result is I now know who I am not going to pick on Sunday."

The line-up started with reserve keeper James Pullen with a defence of Gary Parkinson, Tommy Jaszczun, Ian Hughes and Brian Reid. In midfield Phil Clarkson started for the first time this season alongside John OKane, Jamie Milligan and Paul Simpson. Upfront, Graham Fenton was given a rare start alongside Richard Walker.

As McMahon said, the players that were given a chance didnt impress. Brentford could have made it a cricket score as they completely dominated the match.

The visitors took the lead on 14 minutes. Tommy Jaszczun lost possession on halfway and Martin Rowlands was allowed to run straight through the heart of the Blackpool defence to slot under Pullen. It was 2-0 barely 10 minutes later. Lloyd Owuso turned Brian Reid on the edge of the box and struck a sweet shot into the top right hand corner, a goal that even got the Blackpool fans on their feet in applause.

Pool were creating little at the other end, and chances were few and far between for the Walker/Fenton partnership. Meanwhile, Brentford were threatening to extend their lead and although Pool survived the rest of the first half, the visitors grabbed a third just after the break. Owuso was on target again converting Aled Rowlands cross 6 yards out.

By then it was game over for Pool and the Bloomfield Road support showed their discontent at the display.

Pool did grab a consolation with 10 minutes remaining but by then it was too late. The goal came from Scott Taylor, a wonderful chip over the Brentford keeper.

If a similar effort from the same player a few minutes later had gone in, it could have made the end of the game a bit interesting. But the effort went just over and Brentford took the points home.

McMahon would argue that he wasnt alone in his under-strength team selection as Sundays opponents Cambridge also left out four first team regulars. But hed better hope that Pool bring the trophy home if he wants to justify this performance.

Blackpool 1-3 Brentford

Taylor (81). Rowlands (14), Owusu (22,47)