LEAguE 2 RouNd-up

BLACKPOOL picked up their first home win since November with a comfortable 3-1 victory in the Lancashire seaside derby against Morecambe, but they were made to work for the three points.

The Seasiders went ahead with the first chance after 14 minutes, as Brad Potts’ whipped cross from the right was glanced in from six yards by Mark Cullen.

Blackpool extended their lead after 54 minutes as Kelvin Mellor fed Potts inside the area and the midfielder stroked home to round off a superb counter-attack.

The margin was extended 10 minutes from time, as Bright Osayi-Samuel’s shot deflected in off Ryan Edwards.

Morecambe picked up a consolation goal three minutes later, when Antony Evans thumped home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Carlisle’s long trip down to Devon proved fruitless as they lost 2-0 to fellow title hopefuls Plymouth.

Playmaker Graham Carey fired Plymouth into a 21st-minute lead. Luke Joyce’s defensive pass was intercepted by Carey, who played a swift 1-2 with target man Ryan Taylor before sweeping home.

Argyle added a second in first-half stoppage time when targetman Taylor was floored by marker Shaun Brisley. Recalled forward Jake Jervis sent keeper Mark Gillespie the wrong way from the spot.

Struggling Hartlepool dealt a blow to Exeter’s automatic-promotion hopes with a come-frombehind 3-1 win.

Lewis Alessandra struck either side of Padraig Amond’s thunderbolt as Pools – sitting third bottom entering the clash – answered Ollie Watkins’ opener to take a crucial three points.