Peterborough United hammered after delivering a masterclass in shooting yourself in the foot

Missing golden scoring chances, while gifting goals to the opposition, is a recipe for disaster as the feelgood factor from that midweek thumping of Watford was quickly extinguished.

There was never any chance of Posh being granted the time and space they received at Vicarage Road in this game, but they still created enough chances to get in front and who knows how the contest at Bloomfield Road would have panned out if that had happened.

Still badly in all likelihood as Posh defended like a team of error-prone strangers with goalkeeper Alex Bass, a star of last season, particularly culpable.

Posh made five changes to the line-up that stunned Watford in the Carabao Cup and two from the team that beat Mansfield in a League One match last weekend. Tom O’Connor, Brandon Khela, Ethan Williams. Carl Johnston and Owura Edwards stepped up to start after sitting on the substitutes’ bench for various amounts of time in midweek.

Harrison Jones and Bolu Shofowoke were among those to drop out of the side despite outstanding cup performances. George Nevett dropped out of the squad altogether as did Vernon Masara with new signing Danny Ormerod handed a place on the bench.

Blackpool left their new striker signing Jerry Yates on the bench as well, but still fielded an experienced side.

But for 10 minutes Posh ran them ragged, but failed to convert a couple of gilt-edged opportunities. A fine pass inside a full-back from Carl Johnston and an excellent cross from Edwards found Harry Leonard free close to goal, but his header was saved by home ‘keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

And minutes later a three-on-one break was ruined by Williams choosing to pass to Edwards rather than Khela and then when the ball did come across to the unmarked midfielder he’d strayed offside.

Blackpool used that experience to slow the game down and they stole a huge advantage with two goals in three minutes with considerable help from Bass. Some miscommunication with Tom O’Connor enabled Jordan Williams to nip in and score from a set-piece on 18 minutes.

That was quickly followed by Bass palming a shot from Josh Bowler onto Dion Charles with the ball rebounding into the net. The defending before that and the lack of pressure on the shooter didn’t help either.

Posh did settle down again and started dominating possession and they should have pulled a goal back on the half hour with Edwards again the supplier from the right with Williams side-footing over from close range.

Posh continued to be their own worst enemies and when Khela gave the ball away near his own goal Bass had to save well from George Honeyman and Bowler.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and once Peacock-Farrell had beaten away a Williams shot just out Leonard’s reach it was only ever going to arrive at the other end.

And it did a couple of minutes later when George Honeyman was given all the time he required to deliver a right-wing cross onto the head of Karoy Anderson who made no mistake from six yards.

The fight had now been sucked out of Posh who surrendered rather tamely despite substitutions that included a debut for Ormerod.

Yates crowned his debut as a sub from a poorly defended corner 16 minutes from time.

CJ Hamilton and Yates missed great chances to inflict further pain on Posh. More torment will probably arrive often enough in the future though, unless Posh can find new defenders in the last knockings of the transfer window.

Posh (with player ratings out of 10): Alex Bass 4, Harley Mills 5, David Okagbue 5, Tom O’Connor 5, Carl Johnston 6 (sub James Dornelly, 76 mins), Liam Kelly 7, Ben Woods 5 (sub Harrison Jones, 60 mins), Owura Edwards 7 (sub Bolu Shofowoke, 60 mins), Brandon Khela 6 (sub Danny Ormerod, 76 mins), Ethan Williams 6, Harry Leonard 6.

Unused subs: Collin Andeng-Ndi, Evan Weir, Chris Conn-Clarke.

Blackpool: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Olly Casey, Albie Morgan (sub Leighton Clarkson, 64 mins), Dion Charles (sub Jerry Yates, 64 mins), Josh Earl, George Honeyman, Jordan Williams, Josh Bowler sub Andy Lyons, 82 mins), Tom Bloxham (sub Finley Munroe, 76 mins), CJ Hamilton, Karoy Anderson

Unused subs: Luke Southwood, Kylian Kouassi, Ollie Hunter.

Blackpool goals: Williams (18 mins), Charles (20 mins), Anderson (57 mins), Yates (74 mins).

Cautions: None.

Referee: Martin Coy 8.

Attendance: 9,327 (Posh to follow).