BLACKPOOL dominated the match on Saturday (March 6) from start to finish, but were punished when the defence made their one error of the day.

Apart from that the Seasiders hardly put a foot wrong.

From the whistle they were passing fluently and looked the much stronger side.

The lacklustre performances of the past two games were forgotten and Nigel Worthington's men looked hungry for the points.

Adam Nowland again proved his worth with some fantastic crosses and the midfield looked a force to be reckoned with.

If Nowland's attempt at an overhead kick on 52 minutes had connected with the ball, Blackpool would surely have been level.

Phil Barnes - the civil servant who gets half a day off to train - was superb in his debut.

Great things are now expected.

Blackpool looked a tighter outfit and much more organised.

The only real gripe with this performance - apart from the result of course - is that they still don't have a striker up front.

No offence to any of the players on the pitch, but Blackpool need someone to put the ball in the back of the opposition's net.

Brett Ormerod had an excellent first half.

He put Phil Clarkson through on 22 minutes, forced a stupendous save from Gavin Ward four minutes later and tried a looping shot shortly afterwards.

Andy Couzens, on loan from Carlisle, was another player in good form.

He caused Stoke constant problems in the second half and was a major player in almost all of the Blackpool attacks.

Aside from a short period of pressure at the start of the second half, Stoke didn't get a look in.

Their one threatening period in the first half coincided with a defensive lapse by the Seasiders.

Kevin Keen, formerly of West Ham United, floated the ball across the face of goal and Kyle Lightbourne - by far the most spirited Stoke player on the pitch - powered the ball past Banks to the delight of the away fans. And what Blackpool match is complete these days without a protest?

An orange car daubed with anti-Oyston slogans took prime position outside Bloomfield Road.

While inside, Stoke and Blackpool fans joined forces for Black Balloon Day and tried to hold one minute's silence 20 minutes into the game with limited success.

Most fans appear to have become apathetic towards any campaign and this was no more evident than in the number of fans now opting to stay away, full stop.

The on pitch performance was much more promising than in recent weeks despite the Seasiders' failure to score yet again.

At least Tango the Cat managed to put two in the back of the net before the game got under way!

On Saturday (March 13) the Seasiders entertain Wrexham.

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