Blackpool 1 Wycombe 0

Last updated : 01 March 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Blackpool piled more pressure on the teams above them in the playoff chase with a hard fought win over battling Wycombe in a controversial clash at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders took the victory thanks to a 20th minute goal from John Murphy, but the second half was stormy both on and off the field with Richie Wellens seeing red in the last minute as thunder and lightning combined with torrential rain and Wycombe pressed to victory.

The game had a quiet start with a John Hills free-kick for Blackpool and a couple of long range efforts for the visitors as close as any side came to breaking the deadlock.

But, on 20 minutes, a moment of fast, flowing football from Steve McMahon's side saw Paul Evans feed Martin Bullock and his near-post cross was headed home by leading scorer Murphy.

Moments later another mazy run from Bullock took him into the area but his shot was deflected wide.

The closest Wycombe came to an equaliser came when Craig Faulconbridge lifted the ball over keeper Phil Barnes, but Johnny Dixon was beaten to the ball on the line by Simon Grayson.

The second half saw the heavens open and Wycombe applied more pressure and, on 52 minutes, they had the ball in the net, but referee Mr Prosser ruled out Jermaine McSporran's effort because he had stopped play after a head injury to team-mate Faulconbridge.

Blackpool thought they had a penalty when Wellens appeared to be tripped inside the penalty area but there was no spot-kick and the midfielder was booked for protesting.

In the last minute Barnes was forced into a superb save from Gavin Holligan then at the other end of the field Wellens saw red for alleged timewasting which earned him a second yellow card.

McMahon said afterwards: "They came here and worked very hard but, as with our last game against Brentford, we overcame that." Wycombe chief Lawrie Sanchez added: "I thought we were the best side in the second half and deserved a draw."