Tangerines find the secret of winning ugly

Danny Philliskirk: will line up against his Oldham team mates

IT might not be a feast for the eyes, but Blackpool’s recent form threatens to carry them well away from relegation danger.

Now unbeaten in four games, manager Neil McDonald has got his side grinding out results. Three clean sheets have come in those four fixtures and against the Gills, Jack Redshaw’s match-winning penalty was virtually the only attempt on target in the whole of a dour contest.

Not that McDonald was left complaining about the entertainment on offer, though: “We won ugly. You have to be able to do that sometimes,” said the former Athletic midfielder.

“At times you have to grind out a result, though I don’t think we necessarily did that on Saturday. In the first half we were excellent and defended very well. In the second half we had to defend for long periods, but we counter-attacked well.

“It is extra-special to beat a team who have been in the top two all season. They are usually a free-scoring side, from either set plays or from the midfield, but we kept them very quiet. They didn’t really bother us.”