Watford v Blackpool

FT 90 +5
HT 1-0

Blackpool scored two late goals at Watford to give Paul Ince his first win in five games since becoming the Tangerines's manager on 18 February.

Cristian Battocchio chipped visiting keeper Matt Gilks to give the hosts a half-time lead.

Blackpool grew in confidence after the break and Tom Ince steered the ball in for a deserved equaliser from close in.

Gary MacKenzie then pounced on a loose ball from an Ince corner late on to end Watford's unbeaten run of seven games.

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With Cardiff City out of action this weekend, Hornets manager Gianfranco Zola was left to rue several missed chances that, had they been taken, would have moved the Hornets closer to the Championship leaders. Instead, they ended the day still five points adrift in second place.

The home side were also aggrieved that referee Andrew Madley waved away strong penalty claims from Daniel Pudil and Troy Deeney in the first half.

Despite Jonathan Hogg missing a chance to open the scoring early on, Watford took a deserved lead through Battocchio on 27 minutes, who lifted the ball over Matt Gilks after latching onto a through ball from Deeney.

Fine saves from Jonathan Bond before half-time kept Watford ahead, the keeper pushing an Ince shot around the post before clawing a looping Matt Derbyshire header away to safety.

Battocchio fired wide after the break and Watford were left to regret Matthew Briggs's glaring missed header at the back post when Blackpool levelled with 14 minutes remaining.

Bogey side

Watford have failed to beat Blackpool in six attempts since their 2-1 win at Bloomfield Road on 21 February 2009.

Stephen Crainey crossed from the left wing, and Ince ghosted in at the near post to glance the ball across Bond into the far corner.

Worse was to follow for Watford with only two minutes left when they failed to clear Ince's corner, MacKenzie keeping his head in a crowded penalty area to secure an important three points.

Watford manager Gianfranco Zola: "It was one of those days that has been made like it is by one man on the pitch today - and he wasn't wearing a yellow or an orange shirt.

"I would love to spend more of my time talking about somebody else and I don't like talking about the referees.

"But today he's made a difference and I feel so upset, not because of him but because of my players, because they didn't deserve to lose a game like this."

Blackpool manager Paul Ince: "We didn't drop our heads and we kept believing we could get back into the game and that's a credit to the players.

"Towards the back end of the first half we looked like we were going to get a goal back, we played some lovely football and in the second half it was more of the same.

"If you can get the next goal, they'll get a little bit apprehensive because of where they are in the league - and it proved right."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Watford

30 Bond
12 Doyley
17 Briggs
18 Pudil (Ekstrand - 79' )
33 Nosworthy
07 Yeates
08 Hogg
21 Anya (Geijo - 84' )
38 Battocchio
09 Deeney
41 Forestieri Booked (Vydra - 68' )

Substitutes

34 Bonham
27 Cassetti
40 Ekstrand
16 Murray
37 Mujangi Bia
20 Vydra
36 Geijo

Blackpool

01 Gilks
03 Crainey
05 Eardley (Sylvestre - 46' )
15 Baptiste
39 MacKenzie
42 Broadfoot
07 M Phillips
16 Ferguson
31 Angel (Futacs - 87' )
11 Ince
38 Derbyshire (Delfouneso - 67' )

Substitutes

21 Halstead
20 Cathcart
10 Grandin
14 Sylvestre
37 Caton
40 Delfouneso
43 Futacs

Ref: Madley

Att: 13,857

Match Stats

Possession 50 50

Shots

6 9

On target

2 4

Corners

4 6

Fouls

12 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:49 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +3:15

Foul by Nyron Nosworthy on Marko Futacs, free kick awarded. Stephen Crainey restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +2:25

Effort from deep inside the area by Tom Ince misses to the left of the goal.

90:00 +1:24

The ball is swung over by Matej Vydra.

90:00 +0:13

Foul by Alexandre Geijo on Barry Ferguson, free kick awarded. Gary MacKenzie takes the direct free kick.

87:39

Assist by Tom Ince.

87:39 Goal scored

Goal - Gary MacKenzie - Watford 1 - 2 Blackpool Gary MacKenzie gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Watford 1-2 Blackpool.

86:27 Substitution

Substitution Marko Futacs joins the action as a substitute, replacing Angel Martinez.

86:27

The ball is swung over by Matt Phillips, Mark Yeates gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Tom Ince,

85:26

Troy Deeney takes a shot. Save made by Matt Gilks.

83:43 Substitution

Substitution Alexandre Geijo joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ikechi Anya.

83:43

Corner taken by Mark Yeates.

82:23

Foul by Alex Baptiste on Joel Ekstrand, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jonathan Bond.

80:40

Barry Ferguson produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

80:31

Stephen Crainey sends in a cross, Jonathan Hogg manages to make a clearance.

78:52 Substitution

Substitution Joel Ekstrand replaces Daniel Pudil.

78:52

Ludovic Sylvestre challenges Troy Deeney unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mark Yeates restarts play with the free kick.

77:58

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nyron Nosworthy by Matt Phillips. Free kick taken by Nyron Nosworthy.

76:15

Inswinging corner taken by Ludovic Sylvestre, Alex Baptiste has a header from close range and clears the crossbar.

75:01

Stephen Crainey provided the assist for the goal.

75:01 Goal scored

Goal - Tom Ince - Watford 1 - 1 Blackpool Tom Ince scores a goal from inside the six-yard box to the top left corner of the goal. Watford 1-1 Blackpool.

74:56

The ball is swung over by Stephen Crainey,

74:11

The ball is delivered by Alex Baptiste, Nyron Nosworthy manages to make a clearance.

70:30

A cross is delivered by Mark Yeates.

68:25

Mark Yeates fouled by Tom Ince, the ref awards a free kick. Jonathan Bond takes the free kick.

67:27 Substitution

Substitution Matej Vydra joins the action as a substitute, replacing Fernando Forestieri.

66:22 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Delfouneso comes on in place of Matt Derbyshire.