PHIL Clarkson notched his fifth of the season as Blackpool breezed past Notts County in the Auto Windscreens Shield first round at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night (Dec 7), winning 1-0.

Pool's midfield dynamo smashed home from the edge of the area on ten minutes to settle the tie.

The Seasiders were the stronger side on the night and the only bad news - there always seems to be some - is that loan striker Brian Quailey looks set to miss the Arsenal and PNE matches after departing from the field with a hamstring injury on 14 minutes.

Steve Bushell and Clarkson patrolled the midfield and proved to be the Tangerines' backbone in what was an impressive display. In the opening 45 minutes, Bushell fired wide, John Murphy troubled the Notts County defence and Phil Barnes, despite looking shaky on occasions, kept his cool.

Manager Nigel Worthington thought the match an ideal game to give Barnes a run out after he was injured at the start of the season. Blackpool should have put the result past any doubt in the second half.

Clark Carlisle should have netted on 72 minutes when he ballooned a Murphy header well over the bar.

Just seven minutes later, David Lee should have doubled the Seasiders' tally. Adam Nowland provided Lee with a lovely diagonal ball, but his first touch went askew and County recovered.

Worthington was suitably impressed with the result and the performance from his players.

He said: "I am very proud of my players and they deserved the win. What's impressed me most is their attitude.

"They treated the game with respect and got their just rewards.

"A lot of people don't respect the competition but there is a road to Wembley there.

"But I'm very pleased with the performance as we created more chances than we scored."

Pool now face Arsenal on Monday night (Dec 13) at Highbury in the third round of the FA Cup.

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