Blackpool - 2 Crewe Alex - 0

CREWE were tango-ed by a freak second goal which proved to be the killer blow for the Tangerines in the first ever friendly between the two clubs on Saturday.

With the first half coming to an end, Couzens, running down the left, struck the ball ferociously and it looked like it was heading for the corner flag until deflecting off defender Carlisle's head and straight past the bemused Kearton into the back of the net.

Before that Blackpool had taken an early lead after five minutes when Nowland latched on to some sloppy play from Crewe's defence and finished from 5 yards.

Crewe almost replied instantly when some great play from Rodney Jack saw his cross loop towards goal, only to be cleared off the line by Carlisle. Forward John Grant followed up for the rebound but was unable to put the ball home.

Three minutes later Grant was guilty of missing a glaring chance to equalise when putting his header wide with the Blackpool goal at his mercy, following a great flick from Colin Little.

In the second half, both teams began to wilt under the blazing summer sun and the pace of the game slowed.

Grant had another effort easily saved by Blackpool substitute keeper Barnes on 50 minutes and Little saw his low drive stopped shortly before being substituted as a result of a minor brawl with Marvin Bryan.

Controversy flared again after Crewe's genuine claims for a penalty were turned away by referee Cain after Rodney Jack was brought down inside the area on 70 minutes.

The Alex finished the game better than they started, applying more pressure on the determined Blackpool side, but a lack of quality chances created was apparent.

Crewe's traveling contingent of just over 300 will have been disappointed by their team's poor performance but glad to see John Grant looking increasingly like an eventual answer to the forward crisis.

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