Blackpool continued their play-off push with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against a resolute Ipswich Town side.
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The Tractor Boys came to Bloomfield Road looking for their third win over the Seasiders this season, having already beaten them at home and at Blackpool in the FA Cup.
There was little in the first half to suggest that this match was being played by the side with the most shots in the division this season - Blackpool - and the side with the highest number of shots on target - Ipswich.
Chances were few and far between for both but Blackpool looked the better team with some fine build-up play from strikers Dudley Campbell and Stephen Dobbie.
The pair combined well on seven minutes when they left the Ipswich defence at a standstill but no finish materialised.
The duo did the same on 24 minutes but Dobbie's cross sailed through the area and out for a throw in.
When Blackpool's Charlie Adam finally made a shot on target, keeper Brian Murphy easily tipped it past the post.
Ipswich eventually worked their way into the game and found sight of Blackpool's goal on 41 minutes, but David Norris' fierce effort forced a point-blank save from Matt Gilks.
Blackpool took the lead nine minutes into the second period thanks to the impressive Dobbie.
He found space to cross into the area where the industrious Jason Euell stabbed the ball into the back of the net from three yards out.
The goal spurred Ipswich on and Roy Keane's introduction of Connor Wickham to the proceedings gave the Tractor Boys the upper hand for the majority of the second half.
Norris flashed a shot over the bar on 62 minutes and Wickham saw his curling low drive shave the post minutes later.
The visitors almost snatched an equaliser in added time when Wickham's powerful header came off the bar.
Keeper Gilks than made a point-blank saved before the ball was somehow cleared from the melee.
The result keeps Blackpool's play-off hopes alive but plunges Ipswich back into the relegation mire. |
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