Swindon Town

MARK Cullen’s first-half goal was enough to give the Blackpool the points in a 1-0 win over Swindon at Bloomfield Road.

Mark Cooper made three changes to the side that had drawn at Doncaster Rovers in midweek. There was a recall for Lawrence Vigouroux in goal while Bradley Barry and Jonathan Obika were also handed starting berths. Drissa Traore and Tyrell Belford both dropped to the substitutes’ bench while Jordan Williams missed out altogether with an injury.

Backed by a vociferous travelling support, Town made a bright start in the Blackpool sunshine with Fabien Robert shooting straight at Colin Doyle after some nifty footwork afforded him a sight of goal.

When Jack Redshaw sent a dipping effort narrowly wide of goal after 11 minutes, chances began to get few and far between despite Swindon enjoying a greater share of the possession.

On 38 minutes, it was the home side who broke the deadlock. A corner from the Town right was headed goalwards by Mark Cullen. With Vigouroux beaten, one of his fellow teammates was backing up on the line and appeared to hack to ball clear to safety. After appeals from the home side and their support, referee, David Webb awarded the Tangerines the goal.

Moments later, Cullen spurned a glorious chance to double his and Blackpool’s tally. After being played in on the left-hand edge of the box, Vigouroux stood up well to keep out his one-on-one shot before smothering the ball.

Just before the break, Vigouroux showed brilliant reactions to beat away Brad Potts’ thunderous long-range free-kick.

The second half began with both sides creating chances. Jermaine Hylton fired wide while Vigouroux was alert to paw away Bright Osayi-Samuel's drive.

Doyle then came haring off his line to smother Jon Obika’s effort before Potts burst forward and unleashed another thunderbolt that cannoned off the woodwork and rolled across the goal-line before being cleared.

Henrik Ojamaa’s shot landed on the roof of the net then Osayi-Samuel spurned an opportunity to seal the points for the Seasiders, shooting wide having been played through on goal.

As time ran out for the visitors, Hylton dragged wide while Jordan Turnbull’s stabbed effort was easily claimed by Doyle.