Blackpool 1-3 Hull City

Hull City recorded a first away win of the season as goals from Ryan Longman, Greg Docherty and Regan Slater saw off Blackpool.

Longman’s bundled 26th-minute opener was quickly cancelled out by Kenny Dougall’s well-taken volley but Docherty’s long-range stunner restored the Tigers’ lead before half-time.

Slater’s deflected strike on 79 minutes made sure of a first success at Bloomfield Road since Boxing Day 2004.

Interim head coach Andy Dawson decided to shake things up for the trip to Lancashire, making three changes from the 2-0 home defeat against Birmingham City.

Ryan Woods, Longman and Slater – back from suspension – were recalled to the starting line-up as Ozan Tufan, Doğukan Sinik and Oscar Estupiñán dropped to the bench.

A solitary Gary Madine penalty decided last season’s corresponding fixture on New Year’s Day, and the experienced forward rose highest to head Callum Wright’s ninth-minute corner over the bar.

Longman cut infield before dragging wide from 20 yards, although the former Brighton man did not have to wait long before he was celebrating his first goal of the campaign.

Pelkas’ in-swinging corner was flicked on deftly by Woods at the front post, skewed off Madine’s head and ricocheted in off Longman from close range, despite keeper Chris Maxwell’s desperate attempts.

Michael Appleton’s Seasiders responded strongly, Theo Corbeanu swinging in an inviting cross which Jerry Yates, left free, glanced onto the roof of the net.

City failed to heed the warning as Blackpool levelled from the next attack, Dougall crashing home a fierce near-post volley from Corbeanu’s perfectly flighted clipped cross.

The Tigers had done well up to that point and refused to get downhearted, restoring the lead in stunning style in first-half injury time.

Receiving the ball from Woods 25 yards out, Docherty took aim and hammered an unstoppable right-footed pile-driver into the top corner which left a helpless Maxwell clutching at thin air.

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Blackpool: Maxwell; Connolly, Williams (Poveda 80’), Thorniley, Garbutt (Husband 63’); Wright (Bridcutt 57’), Patino; Corbeanu, Dougall, Yates; Madine (Hamilton 63’).
Subs not used: Grimshaw, Carey, Trusty.

Hull City: Baxter; Christie (McLoughlin 90’), Figueiredo, Jones, Greaves ©; Seri (Sinik 71’), Woods; Docherty, Slater (Tufan 90’), Pelkas (Fleming 82’); Longman (Estupiñán 71’).
Subs not used: Ingram, Jarvis.

Attendance: 9,884 (364 Hull City supporters).