|
But by the time ten minutes were over, Brentford had already forced five corners against the stunned Seasiders who have promotion hopes this season.
In that early period of pressure Neil Shipperley had also gone desperately close with an audacious 40-yard lob.
It was no surprise when Brentford scored their first in the 13th minute. Andy Frampton firmly headed home Joe Keith's cross at the near post.
Blackpool tried hard to make an instant comeback but some comical attempts at finishing combined with some excellent stops from Nathan Abbey meant Brentford survived at a vital stage.
Scott Fitzgerald's side then completely finished off Blackpool's hopes with two goals in two minutes.
Frampton was involved in the first on 29 minutes when his cross was headed on by Shipperley to Jo Kuffour who forced the ball home at the far post.
Kuffour added his second a minute later. He latched on to a long clearance and slipped past two attempts at tackles before drawing Rhys Evans off his line and scoring with a clinical 15-yard low drive.
With a cushion of 3-0 at the break Brentford knew Blackpool would throw everything at them in the second half.
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson reverted to just three at the back and five men upfront but it was all to no avail.
Abbey and the back four in front of him defended superbly and upfront Kuffour was always dangerous on the break.
Despite their useful league position, Blackpool looked terribly naive at times and missed the energy of the suspended Keith Southern in midfield.
Eventually the visiting defence did crack and substitute Scott Vernon forced home a 90th minute goal for Blackpool, whose only real hope of avoiding defeat had been the swiftly encroaching fog which held off for Brentford until after the final whistle.