Blackpool 4 Middlesbrough 1: Boro undermined by Delfouneso’s double

The on-loan Aston Villa striker netted twice in the first half and later laid on a goal for Tom Ince as Boro slipped to a third consecutive away loss.

Andre Bikey had headed home to hand Boro a lifeline, but Tony Mowbray’s side were second best for long periods.

Blackpool substitute Elliot Grandin was brought down by Bikey and rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot.

Mustapha Carayol made a first league start for Middlesbrough, coming in alongside fellow forward Marvin Emnes as Adam Reach and Luke Williams made way.

Delfouneso sprung the Boro defence to collect Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s pass and slide beyond the Middlesbrough goalkeeper.

In the 36th minute Delfouneso side-footed in from Ince’s cross to make it 2-0

Middlesbrough came back into the game as the interval approached, Blackpool failing to clear a corner and, when Grant Leadbitter put the ball back into the box, Bikey made no mistake.

The Seasiders restored their two-goal advantage after the interval when Ince calmly rounded Steele to finish. Grandin added gloss to the scoreline four minutes from time with his penalty.

Boro striker Curtis Main has undergone knee surgery which will rule him out for up to four months. The 20-year-old has ruptured lateral ligaments.

Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Cathcart, Osbourne, Crainey, Ince (Matt Phillips 71), Ferguson, Baptiste, Gomes (Grandin 70), Taylor-Fletcher (Dicko 70), Delfouneso. Unused substitutes: Halstead, Robertson, Evatt, Kevin Phillips.

Middlesbrough: Steele, Hoyte, Friend, Woodgate, Amougou, Leadbitter, Thomson, McEachran, Carayol (Zemmama 72), Emnes (Jutkiewicz 59), Miller (Ledesma 77). Unused substitutes: Leutwiler, Hines, Arca, Smallwood.

Referee: R Madley (West Yorkshire).