Luton Town 1 Blackpool 3

Last updated : 11 February 2003 By Footymad Previewer

John Murphy hit a hat-trick as Blackpool leapfrogged hosts Luton in the race for a Nationwide Division Two play-off place.

The Seasiders, who beat Joe Kinnear's men 5-2 back in August, were equally as comprehensive winners at Kenilworth Road, as they became the first side to take six points off Luton this season.

Former Barnsley midfielder Martin Bullock was also in terrific form, destroying Luton down the right wing.

Blackpool, who are now unbeaten in ten games, went ahead in the tenth minute.

Bullock teased back-pedalling Luton left back Alan Neilson before slipping a pass to Murphy, who beat Mark Ovendale with a low shot inside the near post.

Scott Taylor went close to doubling Blackpool's lead two minutes after the break but his goalbound shot was headed over the bar by Emmerson Boyce following another Bullock raid down the right.

Hatters striker Tony Thorpe levelled the scores a minute later when he controlled Dean Crowe's right-wing cross and guided his shot on the turn past Phll Barnes' outstretched right arm.

But Blackpool were back in front five minutes later when Bullock left Ahmet Brkovic and Neilson trailing in his wake and crossed for Murphy to head over Ovendale from close range.

Chris Coyne then had to clear Scott Taylor's shot off the line after Ovendale had spilled the ball trying to prevent Chris Wilmott conceding a corner.

Luton's top scorer Steve Howard saw a header cleared off the line by Simon Grayson at the other end but Murphy completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute.

Bullock was again the inevitable provider, passing to Taylor, who skipped past Ovendale before squaring to Murphy, who tapped into an empty net.

Blackpool assistant manager Mark Seagraves said afterwards: "Murphy obviously did great to get a hat-trick and Bullock was always a threat but I thought we defended brilliantly as well."