A second half strike from substitute Ben Burgess was enough to see Blackpool through to the second round of the Carling Cup as they beat Huddersfield Town 1-0.
A solid, resolute defensive performance was the foundation for the victory, as Pool increased their winning run to twelve matches.
Despite creating several opportunities, at times it was a frustrating night in front of goal until Burgess found the net with fifteen minutes to play.
The first clear chance of the game fell to Gary Taylor-Fletcher, after a neat back heel from Andy Morrell put him in through the middle. It could have been a dream chance to score against his former club only for his shot to deflect out off Frank Sinclair for a corner.
Andy Morrell was again showing his value to the team with some classy touches as he produced the lay-off that saw Keith Southern look to add to his goal at Leicester only to fire over the bar. That on the back of an earlier Morrell strike from the edge of the box that was struck over the top.
Then in the 26th minute you would have banked on an opener when Andy Morrell was again involved, this time to lift the ball over the top of the defence for Keigan Parker to beat the offside trap only for his chance to go begging as he struck wide.
The same combination nearly worked again, this time Morrell flicked the ball on in the area but Parker just couldn't find the right bounce to strike the ball into the net.
Huddersfield's first clear opportunity didn't come until the 39th minute after Michael Collins broke through at pace only to fire the ball straight into the hands of Paul Rachubka.
The Pool defence then highlighted their determination to keep their opponents out when they scrambled back to hound out Jon Worthington after the Terriers picked up on a loose ball from Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
In a carbon copy of an earlier chance for the Yorkshire side Malvin Kamara shown his pace to go clear down the left but again Paul Rachubka gathered the ball with ease just before half-time.
In the second half Andy Morrell nearly had the chance to break the deadlock. Some great interchange play between Shaun Barker and David Fox saw Barker put the ball across to Morrell only for the Terriers scrambling defence to slide in and block both efforts.
John Hills then had two strikes from distance blocked as he looked to impose himself on the game down the left. The in the 58th minute Hills delivered a great curling ball to the back post that just needed a touch to find the net, unfortunately Taylor-Fletcher failed to connect.
Just as the atmosphere began to rise the appearance of Wes Hoolahan lifted the voices of the crowd a notch higher as the magical number 11 looked to inspire Pool to victory. It was a case of a double substitution for manager Simon Grayson who also introduced Ben Burgess as the Seasiders chased the breakthrough.
Then finally the breakthrough, Andy Morrell looked to break clear he found Ben Burgess in support and the former Hull man had no problem in placing the ball past the keeper (75). It meant the first of what Pool fans will hope are many birdman celebrations this season.
The introductions of Hoolahan and Burgess really sprung Pool into life as they began to dominate possession in the middle of the park.
Against the run of play Chris Brandon could have equalised against the club he spent time on loan at last season but keeper Paul Rachubka looked to preserve his 100 percent clean sheet start to the season by getting down to save. Brandon had another chance with two minutes left on the clock but this time fired wide.
It was a nervy final few minutes for the Bloomfield faithful as Huddersfield pressed for the leveller after putting Andy Booth up top to support Luke Beckett but the Seasiders held on. The only negative note on the night was the loss of Ian Evatt to injury just before half-time.
The victory means that Pool will now chase their third win in a week as they return to Championship action at home to Bristol City on Saturday.
Teams:
Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Jackson, Evatt (Gorkss 43), Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher, Fox, Southern, Hills (Hoolahan 66), Parker (Burgess 66), Morrell.
Subs not used: Vernon, Jorgensen,
Huddersfield Town: Glennon, Sinclair (Hardy 72), Mirfin, Clarke, Skarz, Kamara (Booth 83), Collins, Worthington, Brandon, Schofield, Beckett
Subs not used: Eastwood, Holdsworth, Young,
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
Attendance: 6,395 (685 visitors)
