GERRY MURPHY reviewed his first defeat in six matches as Town caretaker manager and said: "The fact that so many players were missing finally caught up with us."
Already without Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Danny Schofield, Matt Young and Aaron Hardy through injury (as well as longer-term absentees Nathan and Tom Clarke), Murphy lost both Martin McIntosh (hip) and Andy Holdsworth (ankle) in the course of yesterday's first defeat since the 5-1 drubbing at Nottingham Forest on March 3.
"We hoped to continue in the manner in which we had been playing (a win and four draws), but it wasn't to be and I think the injuries caught up with us," he said.
"Losing an experienced player like Martin McIntosh early on meant we had to reshuffle and bring on younger players.
"Inevitably, they don't have the experience of the older ones, and in games like this, it can tell.
"Blackpool are a good side, and they played ever so well, especially in the first half, so you can't take anything away from them.
"When they got their second, we felt we had to give it a go, so we put John McAliskey on and went to three up front.
"That squeezed them back and we managed to put a bit more pressure on them."
Academy second-year player James Berrett followed up his debut as a substitute at Oldham on Saturday by making a first home appearance, again from the bench.
"James is a good player, and it's a case of nurturing him through," said Murphy.
"Games like this aren't ideal in which to blood young players - I'd prefer to give them a taste when we are on top of a game.
"But James has stood up well and given a good account of himself both times he's come on."
