BLACKPOOL 1 BRENTFORD 0

THERE was an air of anticipation as Blackpool faced high-flying Brentford at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, April 22, and the fans wondered whether the Seasiders could make it a late, late show in a last-gasp push for the play-offs.

It was a case of soaking up early pressure for the home side, to prevent a repeat of the Gillingham game, as Banks was forced to make a save from Robert Taylor's snap-shot in the opening seconds. Blackpool didn't take much longer to get into the swing of things though, Mellon crossing into the area on the second minute, only to see the ball hacked away by the Bees' defence.

Brabin's shot after 12 minutes looked goal-bound, but Kevin Dearden did well to pounce on the ball and Quinn teed up a shot for Preece after 15 minutes, only to see him side-foot the ball straight to the goalkeeper.

There was worry for Blackpool on 38 minutes as the end-to-end action went Brentford's way and Taylor took the ball past Banks; fortunately defender Dave Linighan was on hand to clear the danger.

The first twenty minutes of the second-half saw the Seasiders take charge, Brabin flying in to head just wide from Preece's cross and the breakthrough coming on 53 minutes when Quinn's cross was lifted high into the air by Jamie Bates.

The ball took an age to come down but was met beautifully by Andy Preece who turned and rifled his shot into the top right-hand corner, setting Bloomfield Road alight.

The Seasiders withstood some late Brentford pressure, Banks becoming the hero on 73 minutes by completing a fabulous save from Carl Asaba at point blank range and smothering Paul Smith's follow-up shot to ensure the Seasiders took all three points.

The crunch game against Brenford was sponsored by Citizen Newzspapers - and star man Andy Barlow picked up the man-of-the-match award from Citizen managing editor Bob Gray.

Blackpool play Bristol Rovers at Bloomfield Road on Saturday in their last home game of the season.

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