Blackpool 2 Darlington 1

Scorers. Pool: Ormerod 37, Simpson 51. Darlington: Hjorth 80 Attendance: 3,683

THE SEVEN goal nightmare at Barnet can well and truly be forgotten as Pool built upon last week's cup win with an equally important league victory.

A Brett Ormerod header in the first half and a superb free kick by Paul Simpson in the second was enough to clinch victory despite a late Darlington fight back.

At a wet and windy Bloomfield Road the Quakers were the first to settle and looked the better team as the Seasiders struggled to keep procession of the ball.

Only a brilliant block by Danny Coid on the goal line prevented a Darlington opener.

But minutes later Brett Ormerod was inches off scoring after Hills chipped over the opposing keeper but was denied by a last gasp challenge.

Ormerod's disappointment was soon forgotten when he opened the scoring on 36 minutes when he headed in a Paul Simpson corner.

The rest of the half was confidently played out by Pool, yet they were reminded of the Darlington threat through midfielder Brian Atkinson whose shot was well saved by Jon Kennedy. The Seasiders suffered a blow at half time though as Ian Hughes was brought off with an injury to be replaced by Phil Clarkson.

Four minutes into the second half Pool were awarded a free kick just outside the box after a Darlington handball. Paul Simpson stepped up to take it and there was only going to be one outcome from that kind of range.

As he has done before Simpson's left foot provided a perfect shot into the top corner to give Quakers keeper Andy Collett no chance.

Pool really should then have wrapped the game up with chances from Ormerod and Coid. But just as it looked like they might actually keep a clean sheet and win the game without the usual nail-biting end, Darlington grabbed a lifeline.

After a save by Kennedy the Pool keeper was kicked and injured. While still on the floor, Darlington's Jesper Hjorth took full advantage and set the stage for yet another nervy ending.

But unlike against Southend, Torquay and in a host of other games this season, Blackpool managed to hang on to their lead without too much discomfort.

Jon Kennedy deserves some credit as despite receiving a knock during the Darlington goal, he stood firm in the Seasiders goal and handled everything the Quakers attack threw at him.

Both teams had penalty appeals during the last few minutes but the score stayed the same and Blackpool deservedly took the points.

By Chris Reece Team: Kennedy, Wellens, Simpson, Coid, Hughes, O'Connor, Reid, Hills, Murphy, Collins, Ormerod

Subs: Barnes, Jaszczun, Bushell, Newell, Clarkson.