A strong Seasiders side ran out 7-1 winners over Lancashire rivals Burnley but once again the main talking point was the referee who harshly sent off the Clarets goalkeeper after just eighteen minutes.

Pool began proceedings attacking the North Stand on a chilly but dry October.

Despite the number of "big names" Pool found themselves one down after just two minutes; the lively Marc Pugh got the better of Kevin Brown before squaring to the far post for his strike partner to side foot home.

Parity was restored less than a minute later when JOHN MURPHY headed home Tommy Wright's right wing cross.

The game was a real end to end affair and Burnley could have been back in front after Adam Kay's 18-yard strike forced Lee Jones into a full stretch save, the big Welshman did exceptionally well to flick the ball over the bar for a corner.

Pool took the lead on eight minutes thanks to JOHN MURPHY and it was certainly one of what happened next or David Seaman's keeper's gaffes, Pool's big striker fired a low shot straight at Crossley somehow the ball squirmed under the Burnley keeper and into the back of the net.

SEAN PATERSON made it 3-1 on 17 minutes the young striker timed his run to perfection to beat Burnley's off side trap, Paterson calmly rounded the 'keeper before side footing into the back of the net.

Seconds later it should have been 4-1 as Paterson once again tried to round the keeper, this time Paterson appeared to take a touch too many but was upended by Crossley, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The referee then turned the game on its head by sending Crossley off for a professional foul. SCOTT VERNON stepped up and sent the deputy keeper the wrong way to extend Pool's lead even further.

Pool made it 5-1 when SEAN PATERSON fired home from 12-yards.

Half Time Blackpool 5 Burnley 1

The interval saw Pool take the unusual step of reducing their own team to ten men, Pool manager Colin Hendry and his number two Ian Miller sympathised with their counterparts and withdrew Scott Vernon and John Murphy with only Matty Kay coming into the action..

It took Pool just three minutes of the second period before TONY BUTLER made it 6-1 after he smashed home Matt Shaw's cross.

The referee decided he would even up the red card count on the hour when he showed Kevin Brown a red card for a professional foul. Pool then threw on Cabbar Bagdagi and both sides continued with ten men.

Marc Pugh smashed an effort off the inside of the post with Lee Jones beaten.

James Foran made way for Scott Metcalfe with 20 minutes remaining.

Pool made it 7-1 when TOMMY WRIGHT fired home from 35-yards, in fairness Burnley could have been a bit disappointed with the linesman's interpretation of the offside rule.

POOL: Jones, Goulding, Evans, Butler, Brown, Shaw, Wright, Foran (Metcalfe 70), Vernon (Kay 45) Paterson, Murphy (Bagdadi 61)

Attendance: 183