The Seasiders were held to a stalemate with Bristol Rovers, though largely dominated the game in midfield.



It was, in fact, both sides performances in front of goal that was their downfall. Jay Spearing went closest for Pool with an effort from 25 yards whistling just past the post.

Armand Gnanduillet had a penalty claim waved away from the referee, Martin Coy, despite being bundled over just yards away from goal.

For the visitors, Rory Gaffney went close in the second-half taking on league debutant Joe Lumley in the Blackpool goal. Fortunately for Pool, he was unable to convert from a tight angle.

Gary Bowyer made three changes to The Seasiders’ last league outing with Lumley, Aimson and Jimmy Ryan all coming in to the starting 11.

Blackpool started the day on even points with the visiting side, and not much could separate the two teams in the first half. Bowyer’s men saw a lot of possession in the middle but struggled to create anything meaningful. Sean Longstaff’s effort from the edge of the area was as close as anyone came breaking the deadlock in the opening stages.

Half-time: Blackpool 0 Bristol Rovers 0

The second 45 started in much the same fashion. Colin Daniel’s cross to the far post almost made it all the way through into the corner of the net, though, giving Adam Smith a scare in the Rovers goal.

The game started to liven with the introduction of Armand Gnanduillet to Pool’s attacking line. The Frenchman immediately forced a save from the ‘keeper and offered a target for Blackpool’s wide players.

Darrell Clarke’s side started to threaten with 15 minutes to go. Gaffney had an open goal to aim at after rounding the outrushing Lumley, albeit from a tight angle. The forward was unable to finish a sweeping counter attack for Bristol, though.

Pool were then further frustrated at not making their dominance count. First, Spearing’s sweetly struck effort from all of 25 yards then fizzed just past the goalframe. Then, Gnanduillet appeared to be bundled over in the area.

Joe Lumley made a vital save late on to keep the scores level and leave both sides settling for a point.

Full-Time: Blackpool 0 Bristol Rovers 0