Patched-up but still proud: Matt Scrafton's verdict on Blackpool's brave FA Cup exit at the hands of top flight Brighton

When the defeat comes via a long-range stunner and one of the flukiest winning goals you’re ever likely to see, you can be forgiven for wondering what might have been…

In truth, the Seasiders can’t have too many complaints. Brighton were the better side throughout and their top flight quality was evident to see from start to finish.

But Neil Critchley was understandably proud of his players’ efforts in taking a Premier League side right until the end for the second round running.

Unfortunately the Seasiders weren’t unable to repeat their heroics of the third round, when they deservedly dumped Big Sam’s West Brom out of the cup via penalties.

Blackpool, who haven’t reached the fifth round of the competition since 2012, had another cup upset in their sights on Saturday but their trip to the South Coast was just one hurdle too many.

Given the depleted, patched-up nature of Blackpool’s squad, it does beg the question how Blackpool would have fared had they been able to name anything resembling their strongest side at the Amex Stadium.

The pace of CJ Hamilton would have made a world of difference on the counter, while the likes of Dan Ballard, Daniel Gretarsson and Kenny Dougall will always be a miss irrespective of the opponents.

It might not have made any difference whatsoever, we’ll never know. But what we do know is that the 11 that took to the field on Saturday gave everything for the cause and gave Graham Potter’s side a real run for their money.

The day started in the worst fashion possible when the club announced it had returned five positive Covid-19 tests following its latest round of mandatory testing.

With Demetri Mitchell already self-isolating after testing positive earlier in the week and Gretarsson, Keshi Anderson and Hamilton sidelined by injuries, Blackpool’s chances seemed bleak.

But, whatever you say about this Blackpool side, they don’t make any excuses and they tend to perform better when their backs are against the wall.

That was the case early on against the Seagulls, who wasted two gilt-edged chances to edge ahead early on in this FA Cup fourth round encounter.

Blackpool’s defending from corners has been their Achilles heel for much of the campaign and Brighton, who had three giants at the back, came close to exploiting that with both Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster heading over when left unmarked.

The Seasiders, who have played with four at the back in every game this season up until this weekend, opted to match their top flight opponents.

Jordan Thorniley was a surprise starter, the out-of-favour centre back – who has been told he’s free to leave should another club come in for him – selected in the centre of a back three alongside Marvin Ekpiteta and James Husband.

He wasn’t the only one to benefit from the lengthy absentee list though, with MJ Williams, Ethan Robson and Matty Virtue all featuring in what was a completely new-look midfield.

Elsewhere, Jordan Gabriel grasped his chance in place of the missing Ollie Turton, the Nottingham Forest loanee performing superbly in the wing-back berth.

Having survived the two early set-piece scares, the Seasiders appeared to be well in this encounter and were giving as good as they got.

That’s until the 28th minute, when Brighton took the lead with a real moment of brilliance.

Their standout player Yves Bissouma received the ball some 30 yards out from goal. Nothing was on so he decided to unleash an ambitious, swerving effort that flew into the top corner of the Blackpool goal. Chris Maxwell had no chance.

Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and applaud the opposition. This was one of those occasions.

You’d like to think Brighton would have reciprocated that applause for the move and finish that resulted in Blackpool equalising in first-half stoppage time.

Jerry Yates, as he so often does, chased down a lost cause near the corner flag before showing impressive awareness to backheel the ball into the path of the oncoming Luke Garbutt.

The left wing-back swung in a teasing first-time cross that was expertly guided home by the FA Cup’s leading goalscorer this season Gary Madine, who showed supreme desire to get across his man to reach Garbutt’s ball in.

The second-half wasn’t a great spectacle, it has to be said. While Brighton’s style of play is impressive in the way they’re able to stretch opponents from side to side and keep hold of the ball so impressively, it doesn’t make for end-to-end goalmouth action.

Neil Critchley was well aware of the threat Brighton posed, hence the formation change. That gifted Brighton the lion’s share of possession, 65 per cent of it, in fact, but most of it came in front of them and in areas of the pitch where they couldn’t really cause too much damage.

That’s why, then, Brighton resorted to ambitious long-range attempts. It paid off for Bissouma’s screamer and it also paid dividends for their winner, although this one came via far more fortuitous circumstances.

It was Alex MacAllister this time that let fly from all of 25 yards, but his effort crashed into teammate Steven Alzate, diverting the ball towards the opposite end of the goal and wrongfooting the hapless Chris Maxwell.

It was Alzate’s first goal for the club and yet he didn’t know a single thing about it.

Pool, who looked completely bereft of energy in the final stages, and understandably so, were unable to muster a response but fought on admirably nevertheless.

So Blackpool’s cup dreams are over for another year and, as the cliché goes, it’s now time to focus on the league.

Missing as many players as they are, they’re going to need to show this fight on a weekly basis. Assuming the games go ahead, of course...

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