AFTER their 3-0 defeat at Luton on Saturday (Jan 10) Blackpool's season is rapidly turning into a battle against the drop, rather than for a play-off place.

Luton, on the other hand, finished the match on a high note with an improving season in the balance, despite still lying lower than the Seasiders in the table.

Just under a minute into the match came one of Pool's best chances with a well-crafted run down the right from Phillpott ending in a Mark Bonner shot just over the bar.

Dave Linighan put in another good performance amid a shaky defence until the 31st minute, when Clarke Carlisle took his place.

Two minutes later, Luton were leading after a Tony Thorpe volley that Banks just managed to touch.

Luton keeper Ian Feuer acted as mad as a Hatter when he came out of his area on 40 minutes and handled as Phillpott attempted to take the ball around him, with no Luton defenders present.

What should have been a red card offence was turned into a yellow and an unbelievable let-off for Luton by ref Robert Styles.

It was Thorpe again who caused trouble in the 74th minute - a neat one-two with Oldfield - before neatly dispatching the ball past Banks.

A minute later and the Thorpe roadshow put the final nail in Pool's coffin from the centre of the field with no resistance from the Tangerine's defence.

Towards the end of the match, Luton looked positive and gave Blackpool a great deal of concern, despite the visitors' increasing amount of possession.

On Saturday (Jan 17) Blackpool entertain Bournemouth - three points higher in the league.

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