The Seasiders young reserve side was swept aside by a more experienced Rochdale side at dismal Dark Lane on Wednesday night.

The rain riding in on a swirling wind did little to help either side and a lot of credit must go to both sets of players for putting on an entertaining spectacle for those hardy souls brave enough to venture out.

'Dale who had their senior game postponed 24 hours earlier fielded a fairly strong side and were driven for the first 45 minutes by Scott Warner in the centre of midfield. Warner was not only comfortable in possession, but tenacious in the tackle and used the swirling wind to hook in some dangerous balls into the box..

The first half despite entertaining was devoid of much in the way of goal mouth action and although Rochdale looked the most comfortable in possession, their route to goal was often found blocked by some stubborn defending.

The odd stray pass also helped the Seasiders cause, but with just eight minutes on the clock Dale got the break they were looking for and opened the scoring. The move that led to the home sides opener began with a Tony Gallimore throw in midway inside his own half.

Good interchange passing between Gary Brown Lee Cartwright put Warner through and his fierce drive cannoned off the back Dane Matthews and past the helpless young 'Pool stopper Kyle Clancy.

The Seasiders gave little in the way of action for Rochdale 'keeper Sam Ashton, but he was alert to save a long range effort at full stretch on the half hour mark.

Six minutes later Dale created another good opening following good work by Michael Murray. The Dale left back slipped a good ball through to Theo Coleman and his shot from the angle skidded just wide of the target.

Just before the break Coleman was again involved in a move meant to end with Rochdale doubling their lead. A low cross with pace off the slick surface looked dangerous until Scott Metclaff intervened to hook the ball away.

The rain stopped during the break and for sometime into the second half, but the chances continued for Rochdale as they came out to extend their lead against Steve Thompson's fledgling side.

The second goal wasn't long coming though, poor defensive play from the Seasiders played a massive part in the goal. Trialist Craig Cushion was caught dawdling on the ball by Sturrock and the former Argyle smashed an unstoppable effort past Clancy.

Ten minutes later another deflected effort from a Callum Warburton shot was well saved by Clancy. Towards the end the keeper had his defender to thank for keeping the scores at 2-0 after Boardman rose highest to nod goalwards, Matt Kay hooked the ball off the line.

Warburton backed up Coleman on the left flank to beat two defenders and fire a dangerous low cross into the six-yard area, sadly no one was there in a Dale shirt to add the finishing touch.

Shortly before the break, the home side added a third with a great piece for skill from Theo Coleman.

All in all a disappointing night in awful conditions.

Rochdale:Sam Ashton, Gary Brown, Michael Murray, Scott Warner, Jon Boardman, Tony Gallimore, Lee Cartwright, Callum Warburton, Blair Sturrock, Clive Moyo-Modise, Theo Coleman.
Subs: Kyle Buckley, Lloyd Rigby, Matthew Kay, Kristian LBowden, Nathan Wood.

Blackpool: Kyle Clancy, Scott Metcalf, Craig Cushion, Dane Matthews, Sean Clancy, Nick Linford, Matt Shaw, Matt Kay, Matthew Ogden, Ben Perry-Acton, Phil Doran.
Subs: Mark Halstead, Ashton Bayliss, Stefan Laird, Alex Smith, Dominic Morrella.