Blackpool hold on to beat Latics

GOAL . . . Darius Osei

BLACKPOOL 2, ATHLETIC 1

EARLY goals from Sean Longstaff and Kyle Vassell set Athletic on the path to a fifth straight defeat, despite a strong comeback in the second half that brought a goal for Darius Osei.

John Sheridan only named three of seven substitutes with a host of players out injured and the visitors were awful in the first half at Bloomfield Road, despite being cheered on by a large and vocal following.

Longstaff found room in midfield to unleash a rocket of a 30-yard shot that flew past Ben Wilson for the opening goal on six minutes.

Cameron Dummigan struck wide of goal with his left foot when well-placed at the other end, before the hosts grabbed a second. Kyle Vassell played a one-two and though his shot on the stretch was weak, it squirmed under the body of Wilson in the 15th minute.

Wilson did better to save well from Bright Osayi-Samuel's well-struck attempt, but it was one-way traffic in the opening 45 minutes.

Athletic improved after the interval. Osayi-Samuel hit two efforts off-target when well-placed and Vassell clipped the crossbar, but Athletic pulled a goal back after a bout of heavy pressure in the 70th minute. Aaron Amadi-Holloway's effort at the far post was saved by Ryan Allsop but Osei blasted the rebound through bodies on the line.

But though Athletic continued to push, an equaliser proved beyond them.