Rochdale 3 - 0 Blackpool

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Ashley Eastham opened the scoring

Rochdale boosted their hopes of reaching the play-offs with a comfortable victory over relegation threatened Blackpool. The win takes Rochdale to within four points of Gillingham in sixth place.

Ashley Eastham opened the scoring against his former side on the stroke of half-time when he glanced in a Donal McDermott free-kick. Joe Bunney doubled Dale’s advantage five minutes after the interval with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing wrapping up the scoring with a neat finish from inside the area.

With Matt Lund injured, Callum Camps was brought back into the starting line-up whilst Olly Lancashire continued to deputise for the injured Niall Canavan.

The first half was a scrappy affair with neither side testing either goalkeeper - Blackpool’s Jacob Blyth dragging a shot wide the closest to a goal until the 45th minute.

McDermott’s dangerous right wing free-kick got the faintest of touches by Eastham to send Dale one up at the interval.

The weather changed dramatically over half-time with a strong wind and snow showers making conditions difficult as the players emerged for the second half, although Dale settled better.

McDermott forced a flying stop from Doyle when he made space for himself before unleashing a curling effort that looked destined for the top corner.

From the resultant corner, Dale extended their advantage. McDermott’s centre was met by Eastham, although Doyle was equal to the defender's effort. The loose ball fell to Bunney who lashed home from close range for his ninth goal of the season.

From that moment, Dale really looked in any danger of relinquishing their lead and controlled the game.

A swift Dale counter attack saw McDermott and Mendez-Laing exchange a number of passes with the latter fluffing his lines with just Doyle to beat, although just sixty seconds later Mendez-Laing would get his name on the scoresheet.

McDermott and Mendez-Laing exchanged passes on the edge of the area with Mendez-Laing racing into the box before coolly slotting past Doyle.

Blackpool looked a beaten side and their only saving grace is the margin of defeat wasn’t greater.

Michael Rose and Mendez-Laing forced Doyle into late saves whilst substitute Grant Holt saw his powerful volley deflected agonisingly wide.

The win sees Dale close the gap on Gillingham in sixth to just four points, and with the Gillingham due to visit Spotland on Tuesday evening, the season is still very much alive.

Attendance: 3,247

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Lancashire, McNulty, Allen (c), Rose, Camps, Mendez-Laing (Holt 79), Bunney (Vincenti 77), McDermott (Cannon 83)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Bennett, Kennedy, Syers

Blackpool: Doyle (c), Boyce, Robertson, Aldred, Higham, Philliskirk (Paterson 62), Potts (Smith 62), McAlister, Blyth, Norris (Redshaw 53)
Subs: (not used) Osayi-Samuel, Letheren, Aimson, Yeates

Referee: Mr L Collins
Assistants: Mr A Pashley and Mr N Sharp
Fourth Official: Mr N Smith