April 10: Blackpool 3 Albion 1

He was missing from the starting line-up for the second match in succession because of a thigh injury sustained in the home victory against Colchester last month.

Cullip suffered a reaction after resuming training on Wednesday.

Manager Mark McGhee did not want to risk him again. Cullip played in the game immediately after Colchester, at Sheffield Wednesday, but only lasted until half time.

His continuing absence meant McGhee named an unchanged side following last Saturday's seventh home win in a row against Hartlepool.

Adam Virgo deputised for Cullip alongside Guy Butters, with Adam El-Abd at rightback.

The only changes were on the bench as Albion aimed for a fifth away victory to keep alive their hopes of automatic promotion.

John Piercy and Adam Hinshelwood were back among the replacements at the expense of David Lee and Paul Reid.

Blackpool manager Steve McMahon, angered by last Saturday's 4-1 defeat at lowly Notts County, made a couple of changes.

Mike Flynn and Leam Richardson came into the team in place of Steve Davis and Simon Grayson.

The mid-table hosts, winners of the LDV Vans Trophy for the second time in three years, had little but pride to play for in the League as one of the few involved in neither the promotion race or the fight against relegation.

It was a grey but dry day in Lancashire, which was just as well for the Albion supporters in uncovered seating along one side of Blackpool's redeveloped ground.

The majority of Albion fans are, of course, accustomed to such arrangements at Withdean.

Blackpool had the first effort on goal, emanating from some mixed work by El-Abd.

The teenager did well initially to intercept Sheron's pass for Matias midway inside Albion territory.

El-Abd was then dispossessed by Wellens as he advanced towards halfway and the Blackpool captain fed Sheron for a right foot drive wide of the target from 20 yards.

There was an early example of the developing partnership between Iwelumo and Knight.

Roberts' long goal kick was headed on by Iwelumo towards Knight and Richardson had to cover smartly to snuff out the danger.

Albion almost went ahead in the 10th minute, courtesy of a dreadful piece of defensive play by Matias.

The Spaniard, on loan from Walsall, misplaced a pass across the face of his own penalty area after collecting possession close to the corner flag.

It fell into the pass of Jones, whose low right-footer from the edge of the box found the side netting with keeper Barnes beaten.

Jones had a spell in Spanish football earlier in his career.

The Welshman would have been saying gracias to Matias if he had scored on consecutive visits to Bloomfield Road.

Jones netted on Albion's previous trip to Blackpool, a 2-2 draw to seasons ago.

The Seagulls went close again when Butters nodded down a free-kick, but Iwelumo could not keep his half volley down as he turned and the ball flew over the bar.

Albion had a real let-off in the 17th minute, Sheron missing a 'sitter'.

Bullock's cross-shot from the right flank struck the top of the crossbar. The ball rebounded back out and with Roberts scrambling Sheron somehow put his shot wide from eight yards.

It was a bad miss by the experienced striker, who has attracted transfer fees in excess of £5million during his career with clubs like Manchester City, Norwich and Stoke.

Wellens, formerly with Manchester United, was very much the midfield playmaker for Blackpool.

He combined well with Matias before trying a low shot from just outside the area which Roberts did well to hold.

El-Abd collected the first caution of the contest midway through the half for a rash tackle on Wellens.

It prove costly as, with Hart off the pitch receiving treatment, Blackpool opened the scoring from the resulting free-kick.

Wellens played it high into the area. Albion failed to clear as Murphy challenged in the air and Sheron pounced with a volley into the roof of the net from ten yards which made amends for his earlier miss.

Hart was unable to continue, so he was replaced for the restart by Piercy.

Within five minutes of his introduction Piercy was writhing on the cround, clasping his hands to his face, following a challenge by Wellens which led to a caution for Blackpool's combative leader.

Piercy was back on his feet following treatment to a crescendo of boos from Blackpool supporters who clearly felt the substitute had made a meal of Wellens' tackle.

Blackpool were good value for their advantage at this stage. they were showing plenty of hunger after the Notts County debacle which prompted fierce criticism from McMahon.

Albion, meanwhile, were not making much impression as an attacking force.

Referee Steve Tanner incurred the disspleasure of the home supporters when he missed an apparent hand ball by Carpenter as Albion's midfielder broke from just outside his own area.

The official from Wiltshire was accidently knocked over by Piercy in the same passage of play before Knight, having tricked his way around Wellens, was brought down by Coid in front of the Blackpool dugout.

Tanner decided a free-kick was sufficient punishment as Albion's leading marksman received treatment.

The incident further demonstrated Blackpool's thirst for the fight, although Donnelly took this too far with a stupid tackle on Jones close to halfway which earned him a yellow card.

Far too many passes were going astray from Albion for them to build up any momentum, but they almost levelled six minutes from the break.

A shot from Piercy deflected off Butters into the path of Iwelumo and his rasping drive was parried one-handed for a corner by Barnes.

The caution count became 2-2 just before the interval when Virgo had his name taken for a challenge from behind on Murphy.

The half ended with an audacious attempt by Wellens, which evoked memories of David Beckham's long range goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon early in the England captain's career.

Harding's pass, meant for Carpenter inside the centre circle, was latched on to by Wellens who, spotting Roberts off his line, struck instantly for goal.

The ball was dipping just under the bar when Roberts tipped it over for a corner before applauding Wellens' ingenuity.

The effort was rewarded with a standing ovation from the home supporters for Wellens as he trotted over to take the ensuing corner.

It was the highlight of the half, with Sheron's fourth goal in five games dividing the sides.

With Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City both leading 1-0 at the break, Albion needed to produce something in the second half to stay in contention for the runners-up spot.

Moments into the restart Knight nearly connected with a back heel from Jones' free-kick, but the ball ran through to Barnes and he immediately launched a counter-attack by finding Wellens, the Blackpool captain delivered a crossfield pass from close to the touchline into the path of Sheron. He took it on the volley with a left foot shot from 20 yards which flashed inches wide of the far post.

The inspirational Wellens required treatment to his left knee after he was caught in a challenge by Oatway.

It slowed Wellens up, which was good for Albion, because he had been running the game.

A left wing cross by Harding was just too high for the diminutive Knight as Albion strived for some rhythm on a bumpy pitch.

Albion's away following was impressive once more, nearly 1,000 making the long journey north in an attendance of just over 6,000.

They had been given little to cheer at this stage and McGhee decided a change was needed on 57 minutes.

McPhee was introduced at the expense of Jones, the substitute taking up a position on the right with Piercy switching to the left wing.

Albion's deficit doubled a minute later with a first goal for Blackpool from Matias.

It initiated from a neatly constructed move involving Sheron, Bullock and the ubiquitous Wellens.

The latters' cross from the right, aimed towards Sheron, eventually fell for Matias to ram in an angled drive from eight yards.

Albion's miserable afternoon was compounded 11 minutes from time when Murphy, released behind the Albion defence, slotted past Roberts.

McPhee set up fellow substitute Piercy inside the Blackpool box for an 83rd minute consolation for Albion.