Tractor Boys stall at Seasiders

Euell: Back among the goals

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Blackpool remain on the fringes of the play-off places after a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich.

Jason Euell grabbed the only goal of the game at Bloomfield Road, his first since October, to hand the Seasiders a third consecutive home win.

The former Charlton man struck in the 54th minute to keep the North West outfit within two points of the promotion-chasing pack.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway made five changes in total, with Rob Edwards returning from suspension to replace the injured Ian Evatt and Joe Martin coming in for Stephen Crainey.

Stephen Dobbie, Neal Eardley and Euell were also handed starting roles as the Seasiders looked to bounce back from last week's defeat at Barnsley.

Ipswich boss Roy Keane was boosted by the inclusion of defender Gareth McAuley after he missed Northern Ireland's friendly away to Albania in midweek because of a groin injury.

Striker David Healy played for Nigel Worthington's men against the Albanians but could only make the bench for the Tractor Boys upon his return to domestic duty.

The match was a sell-out due to a ticketing initiative and, with a vociferous home crowd behind them, Blackpool began brightly.

Panic

In the eighth minute an inswinging corner from Eardley from the left flank caused panic but McAuley did well to power a defensive header clear.

Moments later, Blackpool threatened again when free-scoring midfielder Charlie Adam crossed dangerously and Edwards nodded wide from 12 yards.

Ipswich gradually established a foothold on proceedings and in the 14th minute Jonathan Walters drilled a ferocious 25-yard shot over the crossbar.

Two minutes later, the pendulum swung back in Blackpool's favour and Dobbie hit a right-footed shot from 18 yards which Carlos Edwards did well to block.

Dobbie and Euell then fired just wide from distance before Adam went even closer with a 25-yard strike that warmed the hands of Ipswich goalkeeper Brian Murphy.

Adam has been in outstanding form this season and his 13 goals have attracted admiring glances from several higher-placed clubs.

However, Ipswich almost caught Blackpool out in the 27th minute when Daryl Murphy scooped a shot over the bar from 12 yards out.

Blistering

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Adam went closer still with a blistering drive from 25 yards that saw Murphy tip the ball around a post.

In the 36th minute Jaime Peters drew a similarly impressive stop from Blackpool goalkeeper Matthew Gilks, as his 20-yard effort was tipped to safety.

Edwards was particularly lively for Ipswich as the interval approached and went close twice before team-mate David Norris drew another smart stop from Gilks with a 20-yard strike.

The breakthrough arrived nine minutes after the restart when Euell was given space inside the Ipswich penalty box to rifle home a right-footed volley into the bottom corner from six yards out.

Ipswich sought an immediate response but Walters headed wide from six yards and Murphy fired over the bar.

Keane made a double substitution in the 66th minute, replacing Murphy and Edwards with Healy and Connor Wickham.

And the move almost had the desired effect as Liam Rosenior and Jack Colback went close before Damien Delaney fired over when well placed.