The Seasiders trip to Norwich was given as a home win in every national paper on Saturday and morning and when the team left Blackpool airport minus Paul Dickov, I probably wouldn't have disagreed, but as the little Scot said in midweek, Pool should be looking upwards rather than downwards and after Saturday's fine win over Norwich even the most ardent member of the Doom and Gloom brigade should share those sentiments now as Pool moved into the top half of the table.

Pool boss Simon Grayson was forced to make one change to the side which had beaten Charlton seven days earlier, with Paul Dickov in the North West nursing a knock from training, Andy Morrell stepped up from the bench to make his first start since late December. On the bench Grayson opted for five outfield players with Michael Flynn and Andy Welsh being added to the 16.

Norwich got things underway on a blustery and sunny afternoon but it was the Seasiders in their change strip of white that enjoyed the majority of the early possession.

Phil Horner was called into the action for the first time on three minutes when Stephen McPhee fell awkwardly on his hand following a strong challenge from Gary Doherty, fortunately for the Seasiders McPhee was patched up and able to continue.

Norwich earned a fifth minute corner when Ian Evatt was forced to turn behind Lee Croft's right wing cross.

On the quarter hour Pool took the lead through STEPHEN McPHEE, Wes Hoolahan went on a trademark mazy run and found Andy Morrell who saw his first time shot blocked by the keeper, the ball fell out to Gary Taylor-Fletcher who sent over a great cross to McPhee who at the far post bundled past David Marshall net his second goal for the club.

Three minutes later Kaspars Gorkss headed over a Wes Hoolahan free-kick, Andy Morrell could have made it two nil on 20 minutes when he found himself through on goal following a great through ball, but he was denied by a brave piece of goalkeeping from David Marshall.

With the natives become restless Pool almost doubled their advantage when Gary Taylor-Fletcher headed at David Marshall from a Wes Hoolahan corner.

Norwich forced a corner on 29 minutes but it was the Seasiders who looked the more likely to add to the scoreline, Gary Taylor-Fletcher sent Stephen McPhee racing down the right channel, the in form front man pulled back to his strike partner Andy Morrell who this time fired just wide.

Dion Dublin nodded a Darren Huckerby cross wide on 35 minutes, three minutes later Huckerby had a penalty appeal turned down the experienced wide man tried to get the better of Shaun Barker and stumbled under the Pool skipper's challenge, fortunately for Barker and the Seasiders referee Rob Shoebridge was well placed and waved way the claim.

With five minutes before the break Pool finally extended their lead, Wes Hoolahan once again orchestrated things and released STEPHEN McPHEE who raced clear and smashed past David Marshall.

In first half stoppage time Stephen Crainey fired a long range free kick over as Pool continued to dominate.

Half Time Norwich City 0 Blackpool 2

The second half was less than 90 seconds old when Pool earned their first corner of the half, Norwich only half cleared back out to Hoolahan who saw his cross hooked wide by Ian Evatt.

At the other end substitute Matty Pattison drilled just over from long range as Norwich looked to claw their way back into the game.

Pool forced another couple of corners one which saw Stephen McPhee go close whilst the hosts threatened through Darren Huckerby..

Seconds after Norwich had added Ched Evans in place of Lee Croft Pool could and perhaps should have made it 3-0 when Gary Taylor-Fletcher poked wide from the edge of the area.

The curse of the referee reared it's ugly head on 63 minutes when Rob Shoebridge penalised Shaun Barker for a foul on JAMIE CURETON who had got the wrong side of the Pool skipper, Shoebridge thought long and hard before pointing to the spot and in fairness Barker looked like he had played the ball, Cureton stepped up and calmly sent Rachubka the wrong way.

Pool had the ball in the net on 66 minutes later when Stephen McPhee netted a Shaun Barker cross but the Scot saw his effort chalked off for offside. The offside flag denied Pool again two minutes later when Claus Jorgensen netted after a great ball from Wes Hoolahan.

Norwich then had a 15 minute spell in which they threw everything at Pool Ched Evans went the closest but was denied by a brave block from Paul Rachubka.

Pool made their first change of the afternoon on 84 minutes when Danny Coid replaced the shattered Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Two minutes later Michael Flynn replaced Andy Morrell as Pool went to a 4-5-1 formation.

Norwich continued to probe and when the fourth official indicated four minutes of stoppage time the home supporter.

During stoppage time Pool replaced man of the match Stephen McPhee with Ben Burgess

Pool: Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Gorkss, Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher (Coid 84), Southern, Jorgensen, Hoolahan, Morrell (Flynn 87), McPhee (Burgess 90) Subs Not Used: Hills, Welsh

Attendance: 24,531