Blackpool 1-0 Swansea City: Gary Madine header earns Seasiders Championship victory

Gary Madine's early header proved enough for Blackpool who earned a 1-0 victory over Swansea City.

The towering striker had the freedom of Bloomfield Road to net after just four minutes as the Seasiders caused Russell Martin's problems from set-pieces and counter attacks.

The Swans were alarmingly blunt in the final third and, despite improving late on, failed to pose many problems as they suffered defeat on the road.

The only alteration from the starting lineup against Fulham four days earlier saw Cyrus Christie return for the suspended Ryan Manning.

Backed by 2,000 members of the Jack Army, Martin's men were determined to put on a show in the Lancashire sunshine.

But they made the worst possible start as they were punished for some lacklustre defending that led to Madine being completely unmarked at the back post from Charlie Kirk's corner to send a looping header over Andy Fisher.

It served as a real blow for the Swans who swiftly got into their passing rhythm, although they struggled to break down a Blackpool side who were more than content to remain compact in their own half and counter when they could rob their opponents of the ball having gone ahead so early.

The Seasiders ended the first-half strongly and had the chance to double their lead when Kirk found himself in space on the Swans' right flank, although his shot was well dealt with by Fisher.

Madine then had a shot blocked by Matt Grimes before heading at Fisher from a well worked free-kick as Swansea's goal came under threat again.

After Michael Obafemi failed to make contact with a Jamie Paterson free-kick, Neil Critchley's men should have gone 2-0 up as Josh Bowler was played through on goal in the final minute of the half, although he drilled wide of the goal in