Blackpool claim vital victory

Ormerod: Opener

Brett Ormerod and Charlie Adam boosted Blackpool's hopes of beating the drop and pushed Norwich further into the Championship relegation mire.

Ormerod opened the scoring early in the second half with a wind-assisted effort before Adam sealed three vital points with a sweet chip.

Norwich are three points from safety in 23rd place and saw chances for Gary Doherty, Jason Shackell and Jonathan Grounds kept out by Blackpool goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

The Seasiders have tumbled down the table in recent weeks and went into the game hovering just one place above the drop zone following a six-game winless streak.

Despite having lost their last four home games Blackpool started the game in attacking mood with midfield duo Keith Southern and Adam both trying their luck from distance early on.

Bryan Gunn's visitors, aiming to take the momentum from their first win in eight Championship games against QPR in midweek, should have gone ahead with two close-range headers in quick succession.

Doherty headed straight into Rachubka's hands from six yards out in the 15th minute and, just two minutes later, Shackell failed to test the Seasiders stopper again from an identical opportunity.

It was not until the 34th minute that either goalkeeper was stretched but Norwich custodian David Marshall had to be at his best to keep Stephen Crainey's 20-yard free-kick out.

Hapless

And three minutes later, Marshall's opposite number Rachubka was at full stretch to stop Grounds' volley from finding the back of the net.

Veteran striker Ormerod, who was recalled to the starting line-up by caretaker boss Tony Parkes, netted in the 55th minute for the Seasiders' first goal in three games.

The former Preston striker's lofted cross was caught in the blustery wind and sailed beyond a hapless Marshall.

The blustery conditions were becoming more and more of a decisive factor as the wind almost took Blackpool striker DJ Campbell's wayward effort back on target while both defences struggled to cope with any high crosses.

Parkes' side came a whisker away from doubling their advantage in the 70th minute when on-loan Leicester forward Campbell curled a fine effort goalbound, only to see the ball come back off the inside of the post.

But they were not to be denied four minutes later when midfielder Adam received the ball on the edge of area before showing great composure to chip the ball over the on-rushing Marshall to make it 2-0.

The second goal seemed to settle the home side's nerves and they went on to dominate possession and could have further extended their lead through Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Lively winger Alan Gow was thrown on by Canaries boss Gunn in a bid to inject some life into his side but the on-loan Rangers winger failed to test Rachubka from the edge of the area.