First-half goals from Armand Gnanduillet and Kelvin Mellor saw Blackpool pull off a fantastic result at league leaders Wigan Athletic this evening.



The pair got on the score-sheet inside the first 40 minutes and then formed part of a resolute side that put their bodies on the line to secure all three points at the DW Stadium.

Manager Gary Bowyer made three changes from the 2-2 draw against Walsall, with skipper Jimmy Ryan being joined in the side by Colin Daniel and Armand Gnanduillet.

The latter, having scored The Seasiders’ equaliser on Saturday, added to his goal tally inside the first three minutes. The forward deflected a Kelvin Mellor strike in off the post to celebrate his 26th birthday in style.

The home side quickly tried to muster a reaction, with Dan Burn and Chey Dunkley making their height advantages count at corners, though it was Michael Jacobs who registered The Latics first shot on target.

Blackpool were setting their stall out defensively and aiming to make the most of any opportunities on the counter-attack.

A foul by Jimmy Ryan presented Nick Powell with an opportunity from a dangerous position for The Latics, but luckily he fired the free-kick wide.

Blackpool then increased their advantage in the 37th minute, when Kelvin Mellor made the most of some hesitant defending at the back to slot in.

Immediately after the goal Wigan pushed forward again and went agonisingly close to pulling one back. Nick Powell challenged for a header in the six-yard box and saw the ball deflect inches wide of the post.

Half-Time: Wigan Athletic 0 Blackpool 2

The home side came out of the blocks at the start of the second-half and forced Ollie Turton to head behind at the back post. From the resulting corner, Chey Dunkley nodded wide.

Colin Daniel conceded a free-kick a minute later and received a yellow card for the foul. Max Power delivered the ball into the Blackpool box, where Dan Burn headed over the bar.

Curtis Tilt was then positioned well to get on the right side of Will Grigg and block his effort from eight-yards out.

As Wigan tried to find a way back into the encounter, manager Paul Cook made a double substitution. Gary Roberts and James Vaughan were the players to come on for Gavin Massey and Michael Jacobs.

Despite Wigan’s dominance, opportunities were still presenting themselves for Blackpool, however that final pass was proving to be The Seasiders’ downfall.

At the other end, Nick Powell blasted an effort just wide of the far post. That attempt was followed by James Vaughan heading over the bar.

Gary Bowyer opted to make his first change in the 69th minute, introducing Jay Spearing for Jimmy Ryan. It was a like for like swap, with the former Bolton man sitting in front of the back four.

Armand Gnanduillet, who was running himself into the ground for the cause, headed wide from a free-kick and then sent a teasing ball across the six-yard box that was just begging for a touch.

Kevin Mellor almost got his second and Blackpool’s third of the night when he met a great cross from Colin Daniel, however ‘keeper Christian Walton denied him with a point blank save.

Armand Gnanduillet showed great power and strength to fashion himself a chance with 87 minutes on the clock but he drilled his shot wide of the far post.

Solomon-Otabor was unable to continue for the final minutes of the game after running out of energy. Sessi D’Almeida was the man to replace him and see the result out.

Full-Time: Wigan Athletic 0 Blackpool 2