Palmer nets as Latics earn crucial win

GOAL . . . Matt Palmer

ATHLETIC 1, BLACKPOOL 0

MATT Palmer's second-half goal settled a vital basement battle in Athletic's favour, handing manager John Sheridan a huge boost in the fight against the drop.

On-loan Burton man Palmer exchanged passes with Aaron Amadi-Holloway in a neat move on 53 minutes and fired high into the top corner in a move of rare quality.

It was a tense occasion, but Athletic did deserve to come out on top.

Curtis Main had moments earlier extended Doyle with a left-footed shot he dived to his right to tip away, while after the goal Jonathan Forte flicked a header narrowly off-target as the home side tried to double their advantage.

Blackpool failed to impress as an attacking proposition, with Joel Coleman having very little to do. Brad Potts' low shot straight at the goalkeeper after half-time was as close as Blackpool came.

There were few scares towards the end of a contest Athletic closed out well, earning only a third home league win of the campaign.