A shambolic start ends Pool's Trophy campaign

A change of competition failed to produce an upturn in fortunes for Blackpool as they exited the Vertu Trophy with defeat on Tuesday.

- by Amos Wynn

Blackpool were defeated by Harrogate Town on Tuesday

(GARETH EVANS/BLACKPOOL FC)

A disastrous start left them on the back foot as they fell 3-0 behind inside 17 minutes at the Exercise Stadium, where Reece Smith, Anthony O'Connor and Jack Muldoon all found the net.

Emil Hansson pulled one back in the first half before Ashley Fletcher closed the gap further during the second period.

Both were nothing more than consolations, as Muldoon secured the home side's progression with his second of the night in the closing stages.

Harrogate opened the scoring after just seven minutes, Smith curling in an effort from distance with the ball well out of Franco Ravizzoli's reach.