Colin Hendry earlier in the week emphasised the need to grind out results, Saturday afternoon the Seasiders, like they did against MK Dons two weeks ago, managed to scrape three points with a 1-0 win over Colchester United, thanks to Simon Grayson's first goal of the season.
The Seasiders made four changes to the side that beat MK Dons two weeks earlier, John Murphy, Mark McGregor and Leam Richardson missed out through injury and illness whilst Danny Coid missed the trip through suspension, with those four missing Hendry found his resources stretched and opted for an unusual 4-5-1 formation with Rob Edwards partnering Peter Clarke in the centre of the Seasiders defence and Richie Wellens coming into a five man midfield.
After the customary pre-match huddles the hosts got proceedings underway attacking the end where some two hundred Pool fans were housed.
After a cat and mouse opening few minutes, Pool had the first shot of the game, with Paul Edwards firing straight at Davidson following some neat build up play involving Richie Wellens and Simon Grayson.
Pool earned their first corner of the game on 10 minutes when Keigan Parker's cross was but behind by the Colchester defence, the resulting corner saw Paul Edwards fail to clear the first man and the home side cleared the danger with ease.
The best chance of a goal in the opening quarter hour fell to Colchester on 16 minutes when Greg Halford fired just over from 18-yards.
The Seasiders earned their second corner of the game on 19 minutes when Sam Stockley put behind under pressure from Simon Lynch, the resulting corner once again saw Pool fail to clear the first man.
The 4-5-1 formation adopted by Pool had begun to frustrate Colchester, their frustration was almost compounded on 24 minutes when Keigan Parker fired just over following a swift Pool counter attack.
The first piece of real action for Brad Jones came on 27 minutes when Craig Fagan's shot rebounded to Gareth Williams who first time fired a great shot to the right of Pool's keeper, but the big Aussie did well to get down and put the effort behind for a corner.
At the other end Peter Clarke headed wide Keigan Parker's free kick from the left on the half hour. A minute later Brad Jones produced another good save this time to deny Craig Fagan who had tried his luck from 18-yards.
Former Pool loanee Neil Danns saw his surging run abruptly ended some 25-yards from goal by Simon Grayson, the resulting free kick saw Halford's effort clear by the Seasiders defence.
Rob Edwards foul on Craig Fagan on 36 minutes saw Colchester come close to breaking the deadlock once again, this time Joe Keith's cross was headed well wide by former Arsenal man Liam Chilvers.
Craig Fagan became the first name in the referee's notebook when a stray elbow ended up in the mouth of Pool skipper Peter Clarke, fortunately for Pool the influential defender was able to carry on despite appearing to be slightly dazed.
On the stroke of half time Pool should have found themselves one up, Paul Edwards saw his low cross half cleared by Colchester to Simon Lynch who showed some great technique before flashing a cross towards the unmarked Keith Southern, unfortunately for Pool Southern could only direct his shot just wide.
Half Time Colchester 0 Blackpool 0
The first chance of the second period came on 52 minutes when Gareth Williams fired just over the bar, a minute later Neil Danns saw a shot blocked for by Peter Clarke.
On 54 minutes Pool were forced onto the back foot once again this time they were forced to defend a corner.
Greg Halford forced Brad Jones into an excellent save on 61 minutes, four minutes later the U's threatened with another corner, this time Greg Halford could only direct his header over Brad Jones cross bar.
Colchester made their first change of the afternoon on 71 minutes replacing Joe keith with former Sheffield Wednesday and Preston man Guylian N'Dumbu-N'Sungu.
Gareth Williams forced another good save from Brad Jones on 73 minutes when his angled drive was well saved at the second attempt by the inform Aussie.
The deadlock was finally broken on 75 minutes and in all honesty it came against the run of play, Keigan Parker showed his pace and trickery to get behind the Colchester defence, the diminutive Scot floated over a great cross which Simon Grayson somehow bundled home for his first goal of the season.
Brad Jones produced another good save on 82 minutes flicking Sotckley's free kick round the post for a corner.
Colchester continued to press and with six minutes remaining Peter Clarke was forced to head over his own bar for a corner.
With three minutes remaining Pool made their first change, replacing Keigan Parker with Paul Warhurst.
In the four minutes of stoppage time, Colchester threw everything forward, Nsungu was denied by Jones, Jones then beat Fagan to the ball to punch clear, with one minute of the four minutes remaining, Pool were awarded a free kick on the edge of the U's area after Simon Lynch was fouled, after that kick was taken Neil Danns picked up a booking after Pool were awarded another free kick which Richie Wellens fired straight at Davison. Seconds later Davison produced a fine save to deny Paul Edwards, after that corner was taken the referee end things and Pool return North with a vital three points.
Pool (4-5-1): B Jones - Clare Clarke R Edwards Evans- Parker (Warhurst 87) Southern Grayson Wellens P Edwards - Lynch. Subs Not Used: Edge, Burns, Bullock, Grabovac
Attendance: 3526
