Blackpool keep their play-off hopes alive with stunning win over Bolton

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2024 by PA

Blackpool kept their play-off hopes alive with a stunning 4-1 win over 10-man Bolton.

The first half was League One football at its finest, with end-to-end entertainment. George Thomason opened the scoring for Bolton just nine minutes in, but goals from Jake Beesley and Marvin Ekpiteta turned the game around before half-time.

Beesley grabbed his second after 68 minutes, and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel added a fourth late on.

It was Bolton who drew first blood when Thomason’s shot from the edge of the box arrowed in to give the visitors an early advantage.

The lead was only short-lived, though. Blackpool hit back thanks to a sumptuous strike from Beesley that curled into the top corner.

The hosts were soon ahead as Ekpiteta reacted fastest after Joel Coleman saved George Byers’ initial header.

It went from bad to worse for Bolton when captain Ricardo Santos received a straight red card in the 66th minute for bringing down Kyle Joseph inside the area. Beesley converted his spot-kick emphatically.

Lawrence-Gabriel completed the rout, finishing off a stunning counter-attack in style by slotting home.