Defensive errors costs Pompey dear at Blackpool

Three avoidable goals led to Paul Cook’s side going down to a 3-1 loss at Bloomfield Road.

And it meant Conor Chaplin’s spectacular overhead-kick came to nothing as the Blues scored a first goal from open play on their travels this season.

A promising start was flattened by Kelvin Mellor heading home a free-kick as Pompey were undone by a set-piece again.

Chaplin’s instinctive and delightful 34th-minute effort lit up the game and gave his side a platform to take control.

But second-half goals from Brad Potts and Kyle Vassell settled it as Danny Rose and Tom Davies were both caught in possession.

It was a start full of confidence from the visitors as they applied the early pressure.

Kal Naismith whipped a 20-yarder just wide, but the closest the Blues came was Carl Baker’s left-footed effort after eight minutes which went just wide.

Despite their early pressure, Cook’s side were undone by a free-kick after 18 minutes.

It was Potts who pitched up a delivery which was met by Mellor’s head as Pompey were undone by a set-piece again.

The goal knocked the Blues out of their stride until Enda Stevens’ 27th-minute centre flashed across the box and was cleared by Clark Robertson.

Blackpool immediately responded with Vassell impressing with a solo run and shot which cannoned back off David Forde’s post.

Pompey levelled, though, in spectacular style after 34 minutes through that man Chaplin.

It was the teenager who responded superbly to the ball spinning into the air in the area with a sensational overhead kick, which looped over Dean Lyness.

That gave the Blues confidence as they went in at the break.

But it was Blackpool who had their tails up four minutes after the restart as they retook the lead.

It was a messy goal to concede as Rose lost the ball played under pressure by Davies.

Vassell’s cross was pushed into the path of Potts by Forde, and the midfielder made no mistake.

The feeling was there more goals in this game and its destination would prove key.

And it was Blackpool who got it after 65 minutes, as Davies lost the ball to Vassell who steamed through the middle and swept home a tidy finish.

Kyle Bennett, Michael Smith and Curtis Main were all introduced as Pompey tried to find a way back into the game.

But it was the hosts who went close to a fourth late on as Forde appeared to flatten Vassell in the box.

The linesman flagged for a foul but referee David Webb waved play on. It would have been a certain red for Forde if he’d given a foul.

There was no late charge from Pompey as Gary Bowyer’s side comfortably closed out the win.

Cook’s side sit fourth in the table on 17 points after the loss.