Late blow to Reds’ Trophy hopes
CHECKATRADE TROPHY GROUP STAGE SHELDAN KEAY
ACCRINGTON Stanley came up short in their EFL Trophy clash with Blackpool after conceding a late winner at the Wham Stadium.
Max Clayton struck in the 88th minute to earn the win for Blackpool, after Stanley’s Erico Sousa had levelled to cancel out Danny Philliskirk’s opener.
The Reds were lively in the opening stages, with Tyler Forbes firing over the crossbar after getting on the end of a pass from Mekhi McLeod.
Just moments later, McLeod was involved again when he had an effort of his own, but it was deflected wide of the post.
Blackpool had chances of their own, with Clayton firing a free-kick wide of Aaron Chapman’s post.
Stanley began to dictate play, as Sousa went close when his curled effort clipped the crossbar, before Mallik Wilks shot narrowly wide.
The hosts couldn’t make the chances count though and Blackpool made them pay when they took the lead on 33 minutes.
Philliskirk was the man to get it, with his shot from the edge of the area going through a sea of bodies and into the bottom corner.
Stanley pushed for an equaliser and they weren’t behind for long as they managed to level things up just six minutes later.
Sousa’s hard work throughout the game was rewarded when he finally got his goal, getting on the end of a cross from McLeod to head home and make it 1-1 at the break.
It was an end to end affair in the second half, with both teams having numerous chances as they looked to go in front.
Tom Dallison had a good chance for Stanley, while Scott Quigley forced Chapman into a good save at the other end.
Wilks then thought he’d given the hosts the lead when his shot had Chris Mafoumi beat, but it cannoned back off the post.
It seemed like the match was heading for penalties, but Stanley were dealt a cruel blow when Blackpool found a winner on 88 minutes.
Clayton was the man to get it, slotting the ball home from close range.