Blackpool snap winless league run by beating Bristol Rovers

Blackpool ended an eight-match winless League One streak in confident style with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

An own goal from Bryant Bilongo midway through the first half put Steve Bruce’s side on course for a first EFL win since late September before Lee Evans doubled the lead from the penalty spot after the break.

Southampton loanee Dom Ballard should have put the Seasiders ahead midway through the first half but Gas goalkeeper Josh Griffiths diverted his close-range shot over the crossbar.

The deadlock was finally broken after 27 minutes when left-back Bilongo diverted the ball past Griffiths from point-blank range following Elliot Embleton’s whipped-in free-kick, awarded after Kyle Joseph took a tumble.

Evans strengthened Blackpool’s grip on the contest on 52 minutes when he slammed a penalty beyond Griffiths’ dive after centre-back James Wilson was adjudged to have handled the Welsh midfielder’s goal-bound shot.

Blackpool looked brighter throughout as Matt Taylor’s team failed to register a single effort on target and were booed off on the final whistle.