Barnet 2 - 0 Blackpool: Barnet add to Blackpool's woes with cup upset

Blackpool's struggles continued as they were dumped out of the FA Cup 2-0 at League Two Barnet.

The Seasiders, one place above the League One relegation zone, were defeated in the first-round tie by first-half goals from Tom Champion and Michael Gash.

Bees midfielder Sam Muggleton saw his curling effort whistle just past a post early on before Blackpool forward Kwame Thomas slid narrowly wide at the other end.

The hosts took the lead in the 36th minute when Champion bundled home Curtis Weston's in-swinging corner from the left to claim his first goal of the season.

Top scorer Gash doubled the advantage five minutes later, powerfully heading his seventh goal of the campaign past substitute goalkeeper Kyle Letheren from Luke Gambin's pinpoint left-wing centre.

John Akinde could have extended the home side's lead in the 72nd minute when he lobbed narrowly over after dispossessing Tom Aldred and racing towards goals.

Seasiders substitute Mark Cullen almost halved the deficit when his close-range effort was turned onto the crossbar by Barnet keeper Jamie Stephens but the Bees held on to reach the second round for the first time in four seasons.