A FANTASTIC second half hat-trick from Brett Ormerod blew away opponents Wigan and blasted Blackpool into the second round of the Worthington Cup.

And Ormerod was not alone in receiving extra credit from this game. All 11 players in tangerine shirts can be proud of their performances on Tuesday night.

McMahon fielded the strongest team he had, with only Hills and Reid missing due to injuries. Wigan boss Paul Jewell, however, decided differently and gave two trainees, one of them only 16, their debuts.

Blackpool kept possession well for long spells in the opening ten minutes. Richie Wellens had an excellent chance early on but, after doing all the hard work with an excellent individual run, the ex-Manchester United midfielder produced a tame shot which was saved by Wigan keeper Derek Stille.

When Pool triallist Martin Bullock was brought on for the injured Gary Parkinson, the former Barnsley winger injected new life into the Seasiders with some excellent weaving runs on the right side.

It was goalless at half-time but the game was about to explode in the second half.

After continuing to dominate the match, Blackpool broke the deadlock on 56 minutes when Brett Ormerod fired home from 12 yards. Some clever footwork on the wing from Bullock was followed by a cross to Ormerod who couldn't miss.

But just as Blackpool had finished celebrating, Wigan levelled thanks to an excellent goal from Canadian Ged Brennan. After receiving a lay off from Howard, Brennan sublimely chipped the ball over the stranded Barnes from 20 yards.

But it wasn't long before Blackpool restored their advantage. Eight minutes after Wigan had equalised, a clever back heel from Wellens found Mackenzie who crossed to Ormerod to slot home for his second of the night.

But just as they did after Blackpool's first goal, Wigan immediately levelled with an equally special goal. A long cross to the back post found Simon Howard who superbly volleyed past Barnes.

However just as the game looked to be heading for extra time Ormerod, determined to have the last word, stepped up to grab his hat trick and the winner for Blackpool. Wigan keeper Derek Stille failed to collect a cross from Mackenzie and the ball fell to the feet of Ormerod who, after a moment's hesitation, blasted the ball into the unguarded net.

Blackpool were not going to allow Wigan to equalise again and the final five minutes were "wound down" by some excellent possession play which could easily have resulted in a fourth goal.

Now Steve McMahon takes his team into the second round with a possibility of a tie against Premiership big guns.

Former Aston Villa and Blackburn striker Graham Fenton signed for Blackpool this week and went on as an 88th-minute substitute for Ormerod on Tuesday night.

RESULT:

Worthington Cup 1st Round

Blackpool 3-2 Wigan

Scorer: Ormerod (3)

Scorers: Brannan, Howarth

Attendance: 4,237