April 30, 2001 11:32: Blackpool 3 Barnet 2

Nationwide League Division 3

In their last away game of the season, Barnet had hopes of ending a sorry sequence of 14 successive defeats and 17 matches without a win on their travels when they led at half-time through Wayne Purser's well-taken 36th-minute goal. But Blackpool, took advantage of some weak defensive play with three goals early in the second period, sending the Bees to the bottom of the table.

For the the Seasiders there was the immense satisfaction of avenging their 7-0 drubbing in November, when Barnet were tenth in the table. More importantly, they boosted their play-off prospects with this their ninth win in their last home 11 games.

Barnet came under heavy pressure for the first half an hour as Blackpool demonstrated the attacking skills that had brought them 50 goals from 23 games at Bloomfield Road.

Defender Daniel Shittu hit some superb long balls towards the front two, 24-goal top scorer John Murphy and his partner Brett Ormerod and when the short ball was played, midfielder Paul Simpson displayed the skills that had earned him the Seasiders' player of the year award.

Heartened by a magnificent save by keeper Danny Naisbitt from Richard Wellens, the Bees resisted well, and took a surprise 36th minute lead Dashing Purser, receiving from Lee Flynn, cut inside retreating defenders and sent a low shot well beyond the reach of keeper Phil Barnes from just inside the box.

Blackpool were on terms a minute into the second half, when Brett Ormerod took advantage of a mix-up between skipper Greg Heald and the hesitant Naisbitt to fire home.

Six minutes later, Blackpool were ahead. Following a short corner, Simpson hit the ball across the box, and it ricocheted off Barnet's John Doolan and into the net.

Man of the match Simpson wrapped it up for the Seasiders in the 61st minute. After Naisbitt saved well from Murphy, Simpson swooped on the rebound and beat two opponents before picking his spot.

Barnet's hopes were revived a minute later with their second goal. Darren Currie triggered the move with some clever play, before feeding Sam Stockley, whose cross was diverted against the far post by Shittu. His team-mate Gary Parkinson could only deflect the ball into the net.

BARNET: Naisbitt; Stockley, Heald, Arber, Flynn; Currie, Doolan, Goodhind (Strevens, 80), Brown (Sawyers,70) Purser, Richards. Subs not used: Harrison, Bell. Man of the match: Purser. Attendance: 5,289.

JOHN POLLARD