MANY have tipped Blackpool for a quick return to Division Three this season especially following their opening day defeat by Reading.

But after this performance on the south coast, few can picture the Seasiders struggling as the Cherries of Bournemouth were well and truly picked!

Steve McMahon made a number of changes to the side which lost 1-0 to Reading last week. Young defender Phil Thompson was given a chance in the centre of defence after Brian Reid was ruled out with injury, and new signing Neil Mackenzie was given his league debut in midfield.

Redevelopment of Bournemouth's Dean Court meant that the game was played at Dorchester's Avenue Stadium.

The Seasiders edged the opening stage of the game with Paul Simpson testing the keeper after five minutes with a 30-yard strike. But three minutes later, Bournemouth keeper Garreth O'Connor could do nothing to prevent Blackpool opening the scoring.

After wriggling himself free of chasing defenders, last season's top goalscorer Brett Ormerod put John Hills through on goal. Hills kept his head to coolly round the keeper and slot the ball home.

Unfortunately for Hills, he wasn't on the pitch much longer after receiving a knock that resulted in him being substituted by Tommy Jaszczun after a quarter of an hour.

Blackpool continued to dominate proceedings. Ormerod and Parkinson both had chances to double the Seasiders' lead but were denied by a combination of bad luck and good defending by Bournemouth.

The Seasiders continued to create more chances after the break. A couple of corners were followed by a Paul Simpson free kick from 20 yards, which went marginally over.

However Blackpool were very fortunate to still be in the lead when, minutes later, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. New signing John O'Kane was rightly adjudged to have fouled Bournemouth's Karl Fletcher in the box and Warren Feeney had the chance to equalise from the spot. But Phil Barnes was grateful to see Fletcher's strike hit the bar and sail over for a goal kick!

Bournemouth then took control of the game and only a world-class fingertip save from Barnes prevented Feeney from redeeming himself. But Blackpool hung on to take all three points back home to Bloomfield Road.

They face another stern test at home on Saturday against Wycombe Wanderers, who thrashed Wrexham 5-2 last week. Last season Wycombe went all the way to the FA Cup semi-final and finished the season in 13th position in Division 2.

RESULT: Bournemouth 0-1 Blackpool

Scorer: Hills (8)

Attendance: 3,709