Freddie Sears scored twice and Christophe Berra once as Town beat already-relegated Blackpool 3-2 at Portman Road. The Blues fell behind to Andrea Orlandi’s fourth-minute goal, prior to Sears striking twice before the break, then Henry Cameron levelled for Blackpool, but Berra sealed a win which really should have been more routine in the 83rd minute.

Tyrone Mings returned from his two-match ban at left-back, while Teddy Bishop was back in midfield and Sears up front.

Zeki Fryers dropped out of the 18 completely, while Richard Chaplow and Chris Wood were on the bench, alongside Jonny Parr, back from his hamstring problem. Already-relegated Blackpool included former Blues loanee Darren O’Dea from the start.

The game got off to the worst possible start for Town with Blackpool taking the lead with the first serious attack of the afternoon in the fourth minute.

Henry Cameron was played in down the left by Jamie O’Hara and cut the ball back to Orlandi breaking unchecked from midfield and the former Swansea man swept home from 10 yards.

The Blues immediately looked to get back on terms, Tommy Smith was unable to get enough on a header from a corner, then Daryl Murphy was stopped in his tracks by a Peter Clarke challenge just inside the area.

On nine Bishop curled an effort wide from the edge of the box, then a minute later Jay Tabb sent Sears away towards the area but Seasiders keeper Elliot Parish came off his line quickly to challenge.

Luke Varney, who opened his Town goals account at Huddersfield on Monday, should have equalised on 12 when he was allowed a free header from Bishop’s left-sided corner but nodded the ball well wide.

Cole Skuse dispossessed Charles Dunne midway inside the Blackpool half on the quarter hour, but his low cross towards Murphy was cut out by O’Dea.

Town continued to keep up the pressure, Murphy overran the ball having made a strong run down the left, Tabb was unable to get in a shot from a Mings cross, then Murphy hooked the ball back across the edge of the six-yard box but it wouldn’t fall for a Town player.

On 23 Sears volleyed over from the edge of the box, then Paul Anderson replaced Varney, who went straight to the dressing room having apparently suffered a knock.

Within seconds of the change, Town were back on terms. Smith sent a freekick to the left of the area from deep on the right, Mings nodded it down and Sears turned a half-volley beyond Parish and into the roof of the net. It was the former Colchester man’s sixth goal for the Blues and his 20th of the season.

Four minutes later, Sears made those totals seven and 21 and the scoreline 2-1 to the Blues.

Skuse fed Murphy to the right who turned it back into Chambers as he broke into the area on the right.

The Blues skipper looked to find Tabb with a low pass across the area but Orlandi intercepted but inadvertently diverted the ball into the path of Sears, who gleefully slipped under Parish from close range.

Ex-Blues loanee O’Dea was replaced by David Ferguson on 32 following a spell of on-field treatment, the former Celtic man appearing to have broken his nose.

Town claimed a penalty in the 37th minute when Anderson fed Sears inside the area and the ball struck Clarke’s raised arm. However, referee James Linington showed no interest in the Blues players’ appeals.

In injury time, Anderson scuffed Mings’s cross from the left wide before referee Linington ended the half.

After being rather caught cold by Blackpool’s early goal, the Blues quickly got themselves on top and the rest of the half was virtually all Town pressing and probing for openings in the visitors’ defence.

Town probably ought to have been ahead prior to Sears’s two goals, the former Colchester and West Ham man continuing the excellent start he has made to his Town career with two fine finishes.

Shortly after the restart Anderson sent Murphy away on the left of the area but the Irishman took the ball too wide and screwed his shot wide.

There was a scare for the Blues on 50 when Berra’s back-header beat the advanced Bartosz Bialkowski, who was pleased to see the ball run wide of the post as he chased towards his line. Three minutes later, Murphy headed Sears’s left-wing cross wide.

Berra saw a header blocked inside the six-yard box on 58, then Tabb skipped into the area and fed Sears, whose low shot was saved down to his left by Parish.

The Blues striker had another opportunity a minute later when, having been sent away by Mings, he cut in from the left but saw Parish block his shot.

As the clock reached the hour mark, Sears again cut in from the left but this time screwed well wide, then soon afterwards he almost profited from Skuse winning the ball on halfway, but Parish came off his line quickly to clear ahead of him.

The second half had been all Town but on 64 the Blues were caught sleeping for a second time and the Tangerines levelled.

Orlandi took a quick freekick from halfway on the right and fed Gary Madine. The on-loan Sheffield Wednesday crossed low to Henry Cameron, who slid into the net from close range to claim his first senior goal.

It was another poor goal for Town to concede, having had plenty of chances to add to their two goals and really should have had the game well won by this stage. On 66 Mings turned and shot over from eight yards when he might have laid the ball back to Murphy.

Jonny Williams replaced Tabb for the final 14 minutes with the Welshman taking up a role behind the front two. Three minutes later, Madine headed over for Blackpool from an O’Hara corner.

Town restored their lead in the 83rd minute when, after a freekick had been cleared, Mings played to Chambers on halfway. The skipper found Murphy on the right of the area, the Blues top scorer turning his man before chipping a superb right-footed cross to the far post from where Christophe Berra nodded in his sixth goal of the season.

Jonny Parr replaced Mings for the final five minutes and the Blues saw out the remaining minutes without any further drama, midfielder Bishop completing a full 90 minutes for the first team for the first time.

Having established the 2-1 lead at the break, the result really should never have been in any doubt and Town had plenty of chances to increase their lead before conceding their second sloppy goal of the afternoon.

Fortunately, against a poor Blackpool side they were always going to get further chances to win it and Berra duly took his opportunity when it came via Murphy’s excellent cross.

The victory and results elsewhere see the Blues move back up to sixth, ahead of Brentford and then Wolves - who lost 2-1 at Birmingham - on goal difference and a point behind fifth-placed Derby, ahead of Tuesday's home game against Cardiff City.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings (Parr 85), Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bishop, Varney (Anderson 23), Tabb (Williams 76), Murphy, Sears. Unused: Gerken, Hunt, Chaplow, Wood.

Blackpool: Parish, Maher, Dunne, Clarke, O’Dea (Ferguson 32), Perkins, O'Hara, Cubero (Delfouneso 86), Cameron (Osayi-Samuel 70), Orlandi, Madine. Unused: Boney, Ferguson, Oliver, Barkhuizen, Telford. Referee: James Linington (Newport, IoW). Attendance: 19,290 (Blackpool: 175).

Photo: Action Images

boysinblue added 17:12 - Apr 11 Hate being a town fan sometimes, never easy is it! Must stop giving away silly goals it's very worrying. Let's try and consolidate on the results that went our way this week and give ourselves a bit of breathing space in the playoffs, ideally by putting some performances together and smashing wolves on saturday
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TimmyH added 17:15 - Apr 11 Really happy to see us get the 3 points but considering who we've been playing and yet again a defense that is as leaky as my mum's colander I'd like to be upbeat. Good to see us up in the play-offs again (on GD) but be we really have to improve and Cardiff will be much more of a test. We really shouldn't be in such a position where we're looking at other clubs results and scraping home results against clubs down the league considering where we were a few months back. Nerves will play a big part in the last few games...fingers crossed and once again well done to Mr Sears who once again had another good one.

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paulthebluealien added 17:18 - Apr 11 We won. That is, at the end of the day, all that matters. At this stage if we play crap and win I could not care less. Back in that top 6, come on Town!
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Ipswichbusiness added 17:20 - Apr 11 I love the idea of Mings, Bishop and Sears all being in our starting lineup. However, it is somewhat worrying that a promotion chasing team struggles to beat a relegated club when playing at home.
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essextractorboy93 added 17:24 - Apr 11 3 points is always the main thing! Especially at the end of the season. Now lets win Tuesday and we will stand a good chance! COYB!
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muccletonjoe added 17:25 - Apr 11 3 points and we move on
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Ipswichlove added 17:25 - Apr 11 Christophe Berra I love you.
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SonOfSpock added 17:30 - Apr 11 3 points is key. Both teams were woeful.
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TractorCam added 17:30 - Apr 11 I'm not at all surprised we made it hard for ourselves, but we got the 3 points and need them again at home to Cardiff on tuesday!
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Ipswichlove added 17:32 - Apr 11 Credit to the 175 Blackpool Fans! True fans!
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StochesStotasBlewe added 17:39 - Apr 11 Great 3 points, but, poor display against a dreadful Blackpool who were there for the taking. Once again our unbalanced defence was at sixes & sevens & I,m really feeling sorry for Tommy now. Well done to Sears who worked tirelessly yet again, Skuse decent also. We can pass the ball on the grass as the build up to the 2nd goal proved, but just reverted to the all to familiar hoofball for the most part. Still, were in the top 6 again by virtue of other clubs results. Can we stay there?, on todays showing, mmmmm.

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ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:40 - Apr 11 3pts was what we needed and got, doesnt matter really who we were playing. Just really p*ssed off that we didn't start Sears and Bishop V. Huddersfield, but that was a big MM error that may still cost us. Fortunately, Wolves lost (didn't see that coming) but just shows anyone can beat anyone in this league. It makes the Wolves away game a huge 6 pointer, but only before we take 3pts off Cardiff...which will be difficult.

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irishtim added 17:43 - Apr 11 Happy to be on top 6. Pressure was on us. Blackpool had nothing to lose. Just look at their last few results got some decent draws. Agree we should be doing better against Blackpool but I am very happy with 3 points this evening. In our hands. Freddie looking like a snip.
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bluesince84 added 17:47 - Apr 11 Really pleased with result. But please by indicating on the up or down arrows, am I the only one who thinks mings is the most overstated player in the championship. People moan at bares for hoofing the ball over the midfield, well in his defence he ain't got a thing on Tyrone. 3 or 4 pacu runs do not a brilliant player make
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bluesince84 added 17:48 - Apr 11 *pacy*
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therein61 added 17:49 - Apr 11 Waiting for my train for the epic journey to Bath feeling like I've been hit by a truck!!!! the emotions this club put me through are mind boggling while I never thought this was going to be an easy game we made life so difficult for ourselves, the back four were like rabbits in headlights(unbalanced as usual and skipper hoof ball at every opportunity) it looks like if we are to finish 6th then goal difference will be all(thanks Brum for doing wolves) and to give away the 2 goals we did today could/will be crucial!! I hate to be negative and have been wanting to say it for weeks/months Chambers is our weakest link(he is not fast enough for right back, but credit to him for trying to put in an honest shift!) oh well here's to the next one on Tuesday and 3 points v Cardiff as by way of a warning if Mr Tan attends avoid him at all cost's never trust a man who wears his waist band under his arm pits!! Christ he must have been Simon Cowells dresser before he made his money!!!.

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ArnieM added 17:53 - Apr 11 OMG just how hard do we like to make it for ourselves! , Our best back four, and most balanced back four is as follow Mick. Parr......Chambers.....Berra.....Mings FFS drop Smith!
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DurhamTownFan added 17:54 - Apr 11 Like most people on here, I'm just pleased that we won and got back in the top six. Bringing back Sears and Bish shows that MM recognises his error at Huddersfield, and it was pleasing that JW came on for Tabb (although a little late imho). I just WISH we'd bloody go for it more! We now have to beat Cardiff to keep the confidence going, and they're a tough team. My guess is that MM will play for a tight game, but my dream would be if we throw caution to the wind in the last few games, wherever it takes us. I'd rather see us miss out going for it than fall with a whimper like we've done in the big games vs Derby, Norwich (twice) and Boro.

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topguy added 17:55 - Apr 11 Quite right irish its now in our hands so at least we don't have points now to make up a good result tues and then we can relax a bit on sat against wovles with them playing boro tues makes that a very hard game for em and then if the same happens we win and they lose not discounting derby or Brentford but I think a point at wolves will be enough as the pressure will be off us.

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blueherts added 17:57 - Apr 11 Results went for us today , including ours - The 3 points is the key Wolves obviously massive and lets keep it going Gotta love Freddie - Well done MM for picking him up
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Dissboyitfc added 18:02 - Apr 11 ArnieM... well said, you can see it, we all can, but the bloke who picks the team refuses to see it.. still 3 points and 3 more against cardiff and wolves, will do nicely...coyb
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TimmyH added 18:05 - Apr 11 Actually like to see Mings replaced by Parr in the left back position for the last few games, Mings looks really tired and leggy. Whether it will happen is another thing altogether...
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bluelady added 18:08 - Apr 11 Gosh that was a struggle! But we didn't slip up... Skuse was wxcellent often covering smiths back side, Freddie Sears is a revelation! Anderson was woeful when he came on, Murhpy not at his best although he was fouled constantly and Mings very hot and cold... Bera a rock at the back and up front... Teddy Bishop showed some nice touches but fades in and out of games, thought JW showed signs of his class in the little time he had on pitch. Tabb worked himself into the ground first half and faded second.

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runaround added 18:16 - Apr 11 Well we won & at this stage of the season, it's results that count. However I thought we were poor at times today & did not defend well at all. However we got the points & other results mean the league table looks as good as it could have done prior to today. We have been given another chance to secure a play off place, we have to take it but we will need to play much better than our last 2 matches. Sears is the man for us right now & HAS to start Tuesday

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 18:18 - Apr 11 Had to make do with updates elsewhere than see any of the actual game but how did Blackpool score two themselves. What I mean is apparently we had so much possession and chances created and would have been a disgrace if the opposition had even dared taken home anything from the game. All I know is, that was far too close for some liking but the most important thing is the win itself and three points with it. Just when you think the season is over, just when you think this club has blown their chance for a promotion, along comes another score and faith is restored.. The Wolverhampton game coming soon is a major concern though and as they are in a similar position to ourselves that could be the real 'winner takes all' scenario. Four games remaining, if we win them all, it would appear that's the top six for the first time since 2005 - far too long a time for many - so let's keep that in mind, tell McCarthy, tell the players, - tell anyone and everyone at Portman Road - just how crucial the situation is, and let's grab that damn top six place while we have the opportunity. PLEASE DO NOT DISAPPOINT US

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