Championship: Clark frustrated by McMahon red card in draw at Fulham

Lee Clark laid the blame for Blackpool's failure to pick up only their second win of the season squarely at the foot of his captain Tony McMahon.

Championship bottom side Blackpool were 2-0 up at Fulham thanks to goals early from Ishmael Miller and Jacob Murphy.

But five minutes before half-time McMahon was needlessly sent off for aiming a petulant kick at Hugo Rodallega as both contested a drop-ball.

That ridiculous swing of the boot seemed to swing the game in Fulham's favour, especially when Scott Parker pulled one back in first-half stoppage time.

But the 10 men were breached only once in the second half when Bryan Ruiz's corner flew straight in as Blackpool held out for a 2-2 draw, their first point since Clark took over as Seasiders boss.

Nevertheless, former Fulham midfielder Clark blasted: "I've seen the footage and Tony had a lash out. I don't know if he's made contact but if the referee sees that he's left with no option. It was a killer for us really, we were in control of the game.

"I haven't spoken to him yet - that's how he knows I'm not happy. We'll be having a conversation. He's an experienced player, he's the captain and he can't get involved in that, even if he hasn't made contact.

"It's difficult to say we would have gone on to win, but we were controlling the game so you'd like to think there was a strong possibility. But the performance is key for me, we have started building blocks now and we have got a point."

Fulham were caught napping with just 90 seconds on the clock when Nikolay Bodurov misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Miller to control on his chest before slotting past home goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

And the hosts found themselves two down when Miller was allowed to reach the byline before crossing for Norwich loanee Murphy to tap in a debut goal.

However, following McMahon's moment of madness Fulham halved the deficit when Rodallega played in Parker for a neat finish inside the near post.

Blackpool goalkeeper Joe Lewis performed heroics for his side, making stunning saves from Elsad Zverotic and Bodurov.

But their brave rearguard was breached in the 72nd minute when Lewis, under pressure from Dan Burn, let Ruiz's corner sneak straight in at his near post.

Clark felt Burn had fouled his keeper while opposite number Kit Symons, in his first home match since being named permanent Fulham manager, was also frustrated at the outcome.

"I would say the sending-off changed the game," said Symons.

"But we couldn't have been as bad in the second half regardless. The first half was probably as bad as we have been since I took over.

"But with them being down to 10 men and us pulling one back at half-time we should have gone on to win the game. It's definitely two points dropped for me."