Kevin Phillips scored a goal in each half as Blackpool overcame fellow play-off hopefuls Brighton, who were reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

Joe Mattock headed Brighton in front but Ian Evatt side-footed home the leveller from Stephen Crainey's cross.

Blackpool were ahead by half-time through a deflected effort from Phillips, then Gonzalo Jara was sent off for a lunge on Keith Southern.

Phillips completed victory by diverting in Gary Taylor-Fletcher's drive.

STILL SCORING

Kevin Phillips' double took the 38-year-old's goal tally for the season to 15

The victory lifts Blackpool back into the Championship top six at the expense of Brighton, who are a point behind Middlesbrough in sixth after their first league defeat of 2012.

Veteran Phillips crafted the first opportunity for namesake Matt to scuff wide but the hosts were soon behind. Craig Mackail-Smith had a header brilliantly saved by Matt Gilks and, from the resulting corner, Mattock rose unmarked to power in for Brighton.

Ian Holloway's men quickly applied pressure in search of an equaliser and Adam El-Abd was forced to clear Keith Southern's deflected shot off the line.

Phillips drew a superb diving save from Peter Brezovan in the 35th minute and, moments later, Blackpool finally broke through as Evatt finished.

Their dominance began to tell as Tom Ince burst into the box to find Phillips, who failed to make a clean contact, but a deflection off Jara was enough to take the shot beyond Brezovan.

The frantic pace continued after half-time, but goalmouth action was at a premium and Brighton's task became harder as Jara was dismissed for his late challenge on Southern.

The visiting supporters wanted referee Simon Hooper to even the numbers up when Neil Eardley hacked down Ashley Barnes, 25 yard from goal. He received a booking and Gilks looked on anxiously as Vincente's free-kick grazed the upright.

Gus Poyet's side continued to push and Gilks held on from a Gordon Greer header, but when Taylor-Fletcher reacted quickest to Southern's blocked drive, Phillips sealed the win.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Blackpool

  • 01 Gilks
  • 03 Crainey
  • 05 Eardley Booked
  • 06 Evatt
  • 15 Baptiste
  • 04 Southern
  • 16 Ferguson
  • 23 M Phillips (Bednar - 81' )
  • 09 K Phillips (LuaLua - 81' )
  • 12 Taylor-Fletcher Booked
  • 36 Ince (Dicko - 81' )

Substitutes

  • 20 Cathcart
  • 31 Angel
  • 32 Dicko
  • 35 Bednar
  • 38 LuaLua

Brighton & Hove Albion

  • 01 Brezovan
  • 02 Mattock
  • 03 Greer
  • 06 El-Abd
  • 36 Jara Dismissed
  • 08 Navarro
  • 11 Noone (Calderon - 60' )
  • 15 Vicente (Buckley - 72' )
  • 26 Bridcutt
  • 09 Barnes
  • 12 Mackail-Smith (Vokes - 75' )

Substitutes

  • 16 Ankergren
  • 14 Calderon
  • 25 LuaLua
  • 30 Buckley
  • 24 Vokes
Ref: Hooper
Att: 12,782

Match Stats

Shots

19 8

On target

11 6

Corners

7 7

Fouls

9 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:08 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +3:23

Sam Vokes is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Ian Evatt restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:51

Nouha Dicko takes a shot. Blocked by Inigo Calderon.

90:00 +1:01

Centre by Joe Mattock.

90:00 +0:24

Pass corner from left by-line crossed in by Will Buckley, save made by Matthew Gilks.

88:26

Neal Eardley produces a cross.

87:20

Sam Vokes challenges Ian Evatt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Alex Baptiste.

87:11

A cross is delivered by Gordon Greer, Ian Evatt makes a clearance.

86:35

Foul by Stephen Crainey on Adam El-Abd, free kick awarded. Will Buckley delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, clearance made by Roman Bednar.

85:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Barry Ferguson on Ashley Barnes. Liam Bridcutt crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel.

85:19

Corner taken short by Will Buckley, The ball is delivered by Joe Mattock, clearance made by Ian Evatt.

84:05

Unfair challenge on Will Buckley by Barry Ferguson results in a free kick. Peter Brezovan takes the direct free kick.

80:42 Substitution

Substitution Thomas Ince leaves the field to be replaced by Nouha Dicko.

80:42 Substitution

Substitution Matt Phillips leaves the field to be replaced by Roman Bednar.

80:42 Substitution

Substitution Lomana Tresor LuaLua joins the action as a substitute, replacing Kevin Phillips.

82:52

Lomana Tresor LuaLua delivers the ball, Peter Brezovan makes a save.

82:04

Corner taken short by Lomana Tresor LuaLua.

81:47

Gary Taylor-Fletcher sends in a cross, Gordon Greer makes a clearance.

81:30

Foul by Will Buckley on Alex Baptiste, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Crainey.

80:42 Substitution

Substitution Martinez Angel joins the action as a substitute, replacing Thomas Ince.

80:42 Substitution

Substitution Roman Bednar comes on in place of Matt Phillips.

80:42 Substitution

Substitution Lomana Tresor LuaLua is brought on as a substitute for Kevin Phillips.

79:10

Keith Southern provided the assist for the goal.

79:10 Goal scored

Goal - Kevin Phillips - Blackpool 3 - 1 Brighton Kevin Phillips fires in a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Blackpool 3-1 Brighton.

79:09

Keith Southern has an effort at goal.

78:01

Corner taken by Will Buckley from the right by-line, Gordon Greer takes a shot. Save made by Matthew Gilks.

76:49

Will Buckley takes a shot. Save made by Matthew Gilks.

76:21

Foul by Thomas Ince on Adam El-Abd, free kick awarded. Joe Mattock takes the free kick.

75:16

The referee blows for offside against Sam Vokes. Matthew Gilks restarts play with the free kick.

74:45 Substitution

Substitution Craig Mackail-Smith leaves the field to be replaced by Sam Vokes.

74:29

Neal Eardley has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

74:22

Matt Phillips sends in a cross, Adam El-Abd manages to make a clearance.

71:41 Substitution

Substitution Rodriguez Vicente leaves the field to be replaced by Will Buckley.

71:29

Thomas Ince crosses the ball.

70:40

The assistant referee flags for offside against Kevin Phillips. Indirect free kick taken by Gordon Greer.

70:27

Thomas Ince decides to take the corner short.

70:20

The ball is crossed by Gary Taylor-Fletcher, blocked by Joe Mattock.

69:39

Handball decision goes against Ashley Barnes. Indirect free kick taken by Matthew Gilks.

68:30

Matt Phillips decides to take a short corner.

67:59

Thomas Ince takes a shot. Gordon Greer gets a block in.

66:01

Neal Eardley sends in a cross, Close range effort by Kevin Phillips clears the crossbar.

64:30

Rodriguez Vicente has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

64:30 Booking

Booking Booking for Neal Eardley.

64:13

Unfair challenge on Ashley Barnes by Neal Eardley results in a free kick.

62:55

Gary Taylor-Fletcher delivers the ball, save by Peter Brezovan.

61:51

The referee blows for offside against Craig Mackail-Smith. Matthew Gilks takes the indirect free kick.

61:11

Liam Bridcutt crosses the ball, Alex Baptiste manages to make a clearance.

60:31

The ball is crossed by Stephen Crainey, save by Peter Brezovan.

59:29

Inswinging corner taken by Matt Phillips, Peter Brezovan makes a save.

59:14 Substitution

Substitution Inigo Calderon replaces Craig Noone.

58:35

Centre by Stephen Crainey, Alan Navarro manages to make a clearance.

56:16

Stephen Crainey takes the free kick.

56:16 Dismissal

Dismissal Gonzalo Jara Reyes is shown a red card.

56:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gonzalo Jara Reyes on Keith Southern.

54:01

Matt Phillips is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rodriguez Vicente.

53:01

Corner taken left-footed by Rodriguez Vicente to the near post, Kevin Phillips makes a clearance.

52:46

The ball is delivered by Rodriguez Vicente, clearance by Stephen Crainey.

50:57

Long distance shot from Matt Phillips misses to the left of the goal.

50:25

Drilled right-footed shot by Ian Evatt. Save by Peter Brezovan.

49:16

The referee penalises Ashley Barnes for handball. Barry Ferguson takes the free kick.

46:21

Adam El-Abd challenges Kevin Phillips unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Barry Ferguson.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +3:20 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

45:00 +2:45

Corner taken by Rodriguez Vicente from the right by-line to the near post.

45:00 +1:58

Ian Evatt concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Mackail-Smith. Rodriguez Vicente fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, clearance made by Alex Baptiste.

44:41

Gary Taylor-Fletcher produces a cross, Kevin Phillips has a headed effort from close range and clears the crossbar.

44:20

Corner taken right-footed by Matt Phillips from the left by-line, Ashley Barnes makes a clearance.

44:13

A cross is delivered by Matt Phillips, Gordon Greer gets a block in.

43:49

The offside flag is raised against Craig Noone. Free kick taken by Neal Eardley.

43:20

Ashley Barnes sends in a cross, blocked by Stephen Crainey.

42:34

The ball is sent over by Stephen Crainey, clearance made by Adam El-Abd.

40:44

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Keith Southern by Liam Bridcutt. Shot comes in from Thomas Ince from the free kick. The referee blows for offside against Kevin Phillips. Peter Brezovan takes the free kick.

39:10

Thomas Ince provided the assist for the goal.

39:10 Goal scored

Goal - Kevin Phillips - Blackpool 2 - 1 Brighton Kevin Phillips finds the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Blackpool 2-1 Brighton.

38:59

Thomas Ince sends in a cross,

38:28

Foul by Joe Mattock on Thomas Ince, free kick awarded. Barry Ferguson takes the direct free kick.

36:16

The assist for the goal came from Stephen Crainey.

36:16 Goal scored

Goal - Ian Evatt - Blackpool 1 - 1 Brighton Ian Evatt fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Blackpool 1-1 Brighton.

35:54

Stephen Crainey sends in a cross,

35:38

Centre by Neal Eardley, Adam El-Abd makes a clearance.

34:31

The ball is delivered by Kevin Phillips, save by Peter Brezovan.

34:14

Neal Eardley produces a cross, Kevin Phillips takes a shot. Save by Peter Brezovan.

33:22

Rodriguez Vicente concedes a free kick for a foul on Matt Phillips. Free kick crossed left-footed by Stephen Crainey from right channel, clearance by Adam El-Abd.

32:43

Craig Mackail-Smith produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.

32:37

Centre by Rodriguez Vicente, Alex Baptiste manages to make a clearance.

30:06

The ball is swung over by Stephen Crainey, save by Peter Brezovan.

29:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Matt Phillips by Joe Mattock. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Neal Eardley from right wing, Peter Brezovan makes a save.

29:02

The offside flag is raised against Craig Mackail-Smith. Matthew Gilks restarts play with the free kick.

27:45

Stephen Crainey sends in a cross, Gary Taylor-Fletcher takes a shot. Save made by Peter Brezovan.

26:42

Joe Mattock crosses the ball, save made by Matthew Gilks.

24:52

Barry Ferguson takes a shot. Alan Navarro gets a block in.

24:25

Inswinging corner taken by Matt Phillips from the left by-line, Gonzalo Jara Reyes manages to make a clearance.

23:38

Craig Noone takes a shot. Save by Matthew Gilks. Craig Mackail-Smith is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Matthew Gilks restarts play with the free kick.

23:01

Thomas Ince decides to take a short corner.

22:27

Thomas Ince takes a shot. Blocked by Gordon Greer.

21:55

Matt Phillips challenges Joe Mattock unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alan Navarro takes the free kick.

20:54

Peter Brezovan restarts play with the free kick.

20:54 Booking

Booking The referee books Gary Taylor-Fletcher for unsporting behaviour.

20:34

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam El-Abd by Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

20:15

Adam El-Abd concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Kevin Phillips takes the direct free kick.

18:37

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ian Evatt on Craig Mackail-Smith. Direct free kick taken by Rodriguez Vicente.

17:13

The ball is swung over by Joe Mattock, Neal Eardley makes a clearance.

17:05

Ashley Barnes delivers the ball.

16:03

Matt Phillips delivers the ball, Joe Mattock gets a block in.

15:01

Matt Phillips crosses the ball, clearance made by Adam El-Abd.

14:32

Keith Southern takes a shot. Clearance by Adam El-Abd.

13:02

Gordon Greer gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kevin Phillips. Matt Phillips takes the free kick. Neal Eardley has an effort at goal from 25 yards. Blocked by Rodriguez Vicente.

6:40

Assist on the goal came from Rodriguez Vicente.

6:40 Goal scored

Goal - Joe Mattock - Blackpool 0 - 1 Brighton Joe Mattock finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close in. Blackpool 0-1 Brighton.

6:19

Outswinging corner taken by Rodriguez Vicente from the left by-line,

4:46

Centre by Craig Noone, Craig Mackail-Smith takes a shot. Save made by Matthew Gilks. Short corner taken by Ashley Barnes, The ball is crossed by Rodriguez Vicente, clearance made by Ian Evatt.

3:51

Centre by Kevin Phillips, Matt Phillips has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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