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Ryan Lowe and Mick McCarthy reaction after PNE 3-1 Blackpool

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An electric start to the game by North End saw their claims for a penalty waved away after six minutes by referee Andre Marriner, with Ben Whiteman's strong shot well-saved by Chris Maxwell - and the rebound falling to Tom Cannon, who hit the deck. The Seasiders responded with a chance of their own minutes later, but Keshi Anderson's tame effort was gathered by Freddie Woodman at his near post.

A fiery encounter then delivered it's first goal on 12 minutes. A high ball wasn't dealt with by the Blackpool defence, and former-Tangerine Brad Potts rifled home a ferocious effort from the right side of the box - past the flailing Maxwell - to send the home fans into raptures. Potts certainly enjoyed the goal against his former club as he wheeled away in celebration.

And before the half-hour mark, PNE had doubled their lead on derby day. Ben Whiteman's wonderfully whipped free-kick evaded Chris Maxwell at his near post and sent the home fans delirious on all four sides of Deepdale once again. A pearler of a set-piece, to mark the midfielder's 300th career appearance.

Five minutes later and North End could have notched a third of the afternoon, to put the game firmly beyond their rivals' reach. However, Maxwell was this time able to tip Jordan Storey's header just over the bar, after a goalmouth scramble. Half-time saw boos from the away end proved a stark contrast to the cheers of the home faithful, who roared the Lilywhites off the pitch.

In an attempt to see a fight-back from his side, McCarthy made a triple change at the break with Kenny Dougall, CJ Hamilton and Anderson all making way for Josh Bowler, Charlie Patino and Ian Poveda. It was, however, game over six minutes after the restart as Tom Cannon's precise, placed effort trickled onto the post and over the line - in front of the Alan Kelly Town End.

Pool pushed for any way back into the game as the clock ticked past the hour mark, but both Morgan Rogers and Andy Lyons were unable to find the target from great headed chances, as time ticked on. Liam Delap could have added the icing on the derby-day cake for PNE as he raced through one-on-one with Maxwell on 72 minutes, but his shot was well blocked by the ex-North End 'keeper.

Poveda was later denied by a smart Woodman stop, as Blackpool continued to search for a glimmer of hope. The Tangerines did eventually find the net with seconds left, as Jerry Yates was left unmarked to bundle home Josh Bowler's low cross and make sure his side left with something on the score board.

But it was nothing more than a consolation, as PNE saw out the game to a swansong of 'Can't Help Falling In Love With You' and secured a 3-1 win on West Lancashire derby day, to reign victorious over their fierce rivals.

16:06George Hodgson

Final word from the managers

One happy gaffer! #pnefc https://t.co/GB6knRV9iG

— Preston North End Live (@PNELive) April 1, 2023
— Blackpool FC Live (@BlackpoolFCLive) April 1, 2023

15:16George Hodgson

Match transcripts on the way

We'll have full reaction from both camps very shortly.

15:15George Hodgson

Mick McCarthy reaction

It was really difficult. I thought they started better. We then had a couple of half chances which I think we could have done better with, and then we don't stop a quick free-kick, don't deal with the cross when it comes in but when he finishes it it's emphatic and it was so emphatic that it got the crowd up as well.

15:05George Hodgson

Ryan Lowe talking now

I am just proud of the group, the staff and everyone. When you put those performance in during derbies, you warrant the three points. Our plan was to get after them, get in their faces and get three points. And we have done that. The game plan was taken to fruition. They were all attacking goals and the quality in them is nice. We've had moments. We just had to have that desire, on our turf. It was about what we do. Our passion and commitment for the club and the fans was shown.

14:48George Hodgson

Blackpool player ratings

Here are our post-match scores

14:39George Hodgson

PNE player ratings

Scores on the doors here

14:23KEY EVENT

FT: PNE 3-1 Blackpool

Derby day belongs to Preston North End at Deepdale!

Potts, Whiteman and Cannon on the score sheet, with Yates pulling one back late on.

Reaction from both camps to come, and player ratings too.

90' (3-1)George Hodgson

Added time

Minimum of four minutes added on.

88' (3-1)KEY EVENT

GOAL PNE 3-1 Blackpool

Jerry Yates taps home from Josh Bowler's cross.

85' (3-0)George Hodgson

Another corner

Browne clips it to the back post, where Lindsay's headed effort deflects over the bar.

84' (3-0)George Hodgson

Double sub

Onomah and Brady replace Johnson and Fernandez.

Patino has gone into the book for a foul on Hughes.

78' (3-0)George Hodgson

Receiving treatment

Cannon is down in the final third and the physio is on to treat him.

78' (3-0)George Hodgson

Another yellow

Connolly goes into the book for bringing down Johnson.

76' (3-0)George Hodgson

No way through

Poveda breezes past Browne but Woodman keeps him out with a strong save at the near post.

75' (3-0)George Hodgson

Booking and sub

Johnson hacks down Patino with a slide tackle in Blackpool's half and goes into the book.

PNE then make another change, with Ledson replacing Potts.

73' (3-0)George Hodgson

Chance for four

Cannon plays Delap through on goal but Maxwell comes out, closes the angle down and keeps his lofted effort out.

64' (3-0)George Hodgson

PNE sub

Delap replaces Parrott.

65' (3-0)George Hodgson

Corner to Pool

Husband sees his cross blocked behind by Potts. It's curled in by Patino and glanced clear by Lindsay, with Bowler's follow-up cross caught by Woodman.

62' (3-0)George Hodgson

Wide again

Husband digs out another superb cross but Lyons heads wide this time, from a matter of yards out.

62' (3-0)George Hodgson

Headed wide

Husband curls a cross in for Rogers but the unmarked Blackpool man heads well wide. A good chance goes begging for the visitors.

60' (3-0)George Hodgson

In total control

PNE fans are singing their songs and the confidence in the players is clear to see. This game should be done and dusted but Preston will want to rub salt into Blackpool wounds with a fourth. McCarthy's half-time changes have not had the desired impact, with the hosts still a real threat and dominating the game.

55' (3-0)George Hodgson

Kept out

Poveda gets free down the left and cuts his cross back for Bowler, whose first time effort takes a deflection and is gathered by Woodman.

13:40KEY EVENT

GOAL!!!! PNE 3-0 Blackpool

TOM CANNON MAKES IT THREE! Surely game, set and match...

A delightful finish from the Everton loan man, who places the ball in - off the post - from 15 yards.

47' (2-0)George Hodgson

Crucial touch

PNE get at Blackpool straight away and Fernandez' cross almost picks out Cannon inside the box, but Nelson gets a crucial toe to the ball to turn it away.

46' (2-0)KEY EVENT

KICK OFF!

Back under way and McCarthy has made three subs.

Patino, Bowler and Poveda are on for Dougall, Anderson and Hamilton.

13:18KEY EVENT

HT: PNE 2-0 Blackpool

The first half belongs to Preston as they head in at the break two goals to the good. Brad Potts fired home a thunderous opener and Ben Whiteman doubled PNE's advantage with a delightful free-kick. Blackpool have been miles off it and Mick McCarthy must be considering changes at half-time.

45' (2-0)KEY EVENT

Added time

A minimum of two extra minutes.

13:07George Hodgson

Goals one and two

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 1, 2023
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 1, 2023

34' (2-0)George Hodgson

Oles!

PNE pass the ball really well with one/two touch stuff and the home crowd get involved. Blackpool can't get to grips with the game out of possession.

32' (2-0)George Hodgson

Tipped over

Almost three as Blackpool fail to deal with a corner and Storey's header is tipped over the crossbar by Maxwell.

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