Carlisle United exited the Emirates FA Cup in the Second Round after a 4-1 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
An Ashley Fletcher brace alongside goals from Tom Bloxham and Scott Banks were the difference for the hosts, despite Luke Armstrong pulling one back early in the second half.
Mark Hughes made four changes from the Blues’ 2-1 win over Tamworth last time out, with David Ajiboye, Harry Lewis, Armstrong, and Jack Ellis coming in for Junior Luamba, Gabe Breeze, Georgie Kelly and Morgan Feeney.
The Seasiders tried to impose themselves on the game early on, with Emil Hansson turning a low cross into the box, which found Fletcher, but his shot was deflected wide.
United quickly grew into the game and had their first effort when a short corner was worked out to Chris Conn-Clarke, whose rasping effort from the edge of the penalty area was pushed wide by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Ian Evatt’s side took the lead in the 14th minute when the Blues failed to clear Scott Banks’ initial effort after he had weaved his way into the box, and Bloxham was there to fire past Lewis on the rebound.
Neat interplay from Josh Williams and Ajiboye saw the United right-back get to the byline, and his cross fell to Conn-Clarke, who saw his shot saved before Regan Linney burst into the penalty area but could only fire over the crossbar.
Banks continued to cause the Blues problems, cutting in on the right flank in the 24th minute and drawing a sharp save out of Lewis with a low shot.
Fletcher doubled the hosts’ lead in the 35th minute when Hansson glided through midfield and found the Seasiders’ striker, who emphatically slotted past Lewis.
The Tangerines had their third three minutes later, with Banks collecting the ball on the right and curling a stunning strike into the left corner.
HALF-TIME: Blackpool 3–0 Carlisle United
United had a glorious chance to reduce the deficit just after the break when Linney broke onto Ellis’ hooked ball, but Hayden could not convert the Blues’ winger’s cross at the back post.
Armstrong pulled one back for the Blues in the 51st minute, with Ajiboye finding the United striker with a neat back pass, and he fired past Peacock-Farrell.
The Blues grew in confidence with Linney skipping away down the left, and his cross with the outside of the boot found Ajiboye at the back post, whose effort was saved by Peacock-Farrell.
Blackpool grabbed a fourth goal in the 58th minute, with Fletching diverting George Honeyman’s low cross past Lewis.
Luamba flew through the middle of the park on the counterattack and found Armstrong, whose shot on the turn was pushed over by Peacock-Farrell as the Blues tried to further reduce the deficit.
Lewis' outstretched leg prevented CJ Hamilton from further adding to the scoreline as the game came to a close.
FULL-TIME: Blackpool 4-1 Carlisle United
Teams:
Blackpool: Peacock-Farrell, Casey, Horsfall, Brown (Bowler 61), Honeyman, Fletcher (Hamilton 75), Bloxham, Coulson, Banks (Imray 58), Ashworth (Husband 61), Hansson (Evans 46)
Not used: Bondo, Ravizzoli, Lyons
Carlisle United: Lewis, Harper, Hayden, Ellis, Williams, Gilliead (Whelan 76), Macadam (Atkinson 68), Conn-Clarke (Wearne 63), Ajiboye (Luamba 68), Armstrong, Linney (Jones 68)
Not used: Breeze, Davies, Kelly, Murray
Goals:
Blackpool – (Bloxham 14) (Fletcher 35, 58) (Banks 38)
Carlisle United – (Armstrong 51)
Yellow cards:
Blackpool – (Ashworth 30) (Coulson 90+1)
Carlisle United – (Gilliead 59)
Red cards:
Blackpool – N/A
Carlisle United – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Tom Reeves
Assistant Referee 1 - Matthew Parry
Assistant Referee 2 - Mark Ryder
Fourth Official - Peter Wright
Attendance:
5,958 (3,500 away)
