BLACKPOOL boss Simon Grayson admitted his side had been given a footballing lesson by Ipswich Town.The Tangerines' plans were left in tatters after losing centre backs Ian Evatt and Michael Jackson to hamstring injuries within 30 minutes, but even so Grayson felt his team were second best.

Derek Davis

BLACKPOOL boss Simon Grayson admitted his side had been given a footballing lesson by Ipswich Town.

The Tangerines' plans were left in tatters after losing centre backs Ian Evatt and Michael Jackson to hamstring injuries within 30 minutes, but even so Grayson felt his team were second best.

He said: “Coming here against a top team we wanted to be the second team to beat them at home but that plan went out of the window when we lost two centre halves.

“We got a footballing lesson and it could have been four or five goals. We rode our luck even before we lost the two defenders.

“You can cope if you lose two players but not when they are experienced centre halves.

Paul Dickov did pull one back late on but Grayson agreed it would have been an injustice if they had gone on to snatch a point.

He said: “We made it interesting with the late goal but I would have been embarrassed if we had got something from the game.”

Town boss Jim Magilton believes the wins over Blackpool and Crystal Palace last Tuesday will give his side the impetus they need to get something at leaders Stoke and make a strong promotion push.

He said: “Overall we were every good with good passing and movement so this keeps the ball rolling.

“We can't afford to slip up and we realise we tough game at Stoke next weekend. Since January we have won three from four and these guys are starting to believe in themselves.”

Town had many other chances to score but failed to capitalise in the first half.

Magilton said: “Blackpool looked there for the taking right from the word go. They lost both centre halves and Simon (Grayson) had obvious problems which we took full advantage.

“We had enough chances in the first half but didn't capitalise but at half time I said 'stay patient, don't get anxious and you will get your rewards' which we did.

“At 2-0 we were cruising then they scored, and it was a goal so I have no complaints there, and that made the final five minutes edgy.”