An 86th minute winner from Luke Gutteridge was the difference between the two sides as Pool failed to return home with a deserved point at run away leaders Southend United.
Top of the table Southend got proceedings underway on a mild sunny afternoon and the hosts were soon on the attacking forcing an early corner fortunately for Pool Maher's cross from the right failed to trouble the Pool defence.
Pool's first foray forward saw Rory Prendergast's cross turned behind for a corner, Keth Lasley trotted across to take the kick, his low corner to the near post was half cleared to Prendergast who blazed over from 18-yards.
Five minutes later Southend forced their second corner after Peter Clarke turned behind under pressure and once again Pool scrambled clear.
Lee Jones was called upon for the first time on nine minutes when he got down well to take Gutteridge's powerful header.
A minute later Jason Wilcox turned behind for a corner under pressure from the lively Eastwood and this time Pool cleared at the second attempt, less than sixty seconds later a quickly taken corner saw Pool on the back foot and only a good block from Jones denied the home side an opener.
Pool's first clear cut chance of the afternoon fell to Marcus Bean on the quarter hour, some neat play down the left involving Rory Prendergast and Jason Wilcox saw the latter cross toBean who saw his snap shot turned behind for a corner. Prendergast's effort from the resulting corner failed to clear the near post and Southend cleared the danger.
Pool had a penalty appeal turned down on 20 minutes when Keith Lasley's shot was blocked by a crowd of Southend defenders.
Pool forced another corner on the right after 22 minutes and this time Rory Prendergast's effort caused all sorts of problems resulting in a releifed Southend defence turning behind for another corner.
The inconsistency of referees reared it's ugly head on 25 minutes having failed to penalise Adam Barrett seconds earlier for handball the referee penalised Rory Prendergast for a similar offence when it appeared the the Pool winger was in fact protecting his face!
The best chance of the half fell to veteran Shaun Goater, the former Manchester City man latched onto a great ball from Bradbury, rounded Lee Jones, but saw his finish blasted clear by Peter Clarke.
The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes, a quickly taken Marc Joseph throw in found Keigan Parker out on the right, the livewire Scot beat one man before crossing to GARETH WILLIAMS who on the turn fired home giving Flahavan no chance in the Southend goal.
Keith Lasley saw a shot blocked by Barrett on 38 minutes whilst Eastwood nodded wide a minute later for the hosts.
A contentious free kick on the stroke of half time, could have spelt danger, but fortunately for Pool Gutteride's effort from the defensive clearance ended up somewhere near Canvey Island. In stoppage time the hosts forced a corner after Clarke under pressure from Eastwood put behind for a corner, fortunately for the Seasiders the corner was cleared and Pool went in at the break in front.
Half Time Southend 0 Blackpool 1
In similar fashion to the first half Southend began like a train, but it was the Seasiders who forced the first corner of the half after Marc Joseph's cross was turned behind. Rory Prendergast saw his inswinger cleared off the line by Jupp with Flahavan beaten.
Keigan Parker earned Pool their second corner of the second period on 55 minutes but unfortunately for the Seasiders the hosts cleared the danger.
Seconds later Pool made their first change of the afternoon when Rory Prendergast was replaced by Ian Morris.
Gareth Williams almost doubled Pool's lead on the hour when he almost got on the end of a Keigan Parker cross. Southend then countered down the right flank, Lee Bradbury released FREDDY EASTWOOD down the right, Eastwood jinked past three Pool defenders cutting in from the flank in the process, Eastwood then showed a great deal of confidence to wrong foot Jones and put Southend back on level terms.
Referee Mr Woolmer then to the amazement of everyone on the ground waved play on after Che Wilson assaulted Keigan Parker to the ground with Parker through on goal, even the most ardent of Southend fan conceded Wilson had been lucky to remain on the pitch.
Flahavan did well again on 71 minutes to take a teasing Ian Morris cross off the head of Gareth Williams.
Pool were given a huge let off on 76 minutes Eastwood was sent scampering clear by Maher and the livewire striker saw his finish rebound off the inside of the post with Jones beaten.
With 8 minutes remaining Pool made a second change with Matthew Blinkhorn replacing Gareth Williams.
With the constant threat of Eastwood, Southend were looking the most likely to snatch a winner, Pool eventually cleared a corner from the left and on 85 minutes substitute Cole headed over from close range after another teasing cross from the left. Then the inevitable happened, Pool conceded, Mitchell Cole ran clear down the left flank unchallenged, Cole cut inside allowing LUKE GUTTERIDGE to fire through Lee Jones and in to the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
Pool then through Peter Clarke into attack in search of an equaliser.
With a couple of minutes remaining Pool were forced into a final change when Ian Morris limped out of the action to be replaced by David Fox.
Despite having four minutes of stoppage time, Pool failed to find a way through the hosts defence.
Pool: Jones, Joseph, Clarke, Edwards, Wilcox, Lasley, Bean, Southern, Prendergast (Morris 56, Fox 88), Williams (Blinkhorn 82), Parker.
Attendance 8180 (372 Pool fans)
