Blackpool travelled to Rochdale perched at the top of League One and with great expectation laying on their shoulders. Upwards of 2,000 Pool fans made the trip to the Crown Oil Arena creating yet another electric atmosphere and Blackpool were so close to delivering.
It was a battling start from both sides, as both Rochdale and Blackpool tried to maintain possession. The best chance came when Feeney was released down the right, only for his cross to narrowly evade Gnanduillet.
Rochdale were presented their own first opening on 13 minutes when a deflected free-kick from Camps fizzed just wide. Alnwick was beaten and was clearly relieved to see the ball fly wide.
Blackpool were still struggling to create openings, but Gnanduillet almost created something out of nothing when he steered a Turton cross narrowly over on 15 minutes.
In the 20th minute Blackpool should really have taken the lead though. Gnanduillet connected perfectly with a Thompson corner but Sanchez was equal to it, pushing the header over without knowing much about it.
Gnanduillet was the centre of most Blackpool attacks, but just could not convert. When Thompson delivered another ball in on the 27th minute he was only beaten too it by a confident catch from the goalkeeper. The ball was snatched away from the awaiting Frenchman.
A water break midway through the opening half appeared to halt Blackpool’s momentum. The best chance they had leading up to half time was a Jordan Thompson shot from distance that lacked in both power and direction.
In the closing seconds of the half Jimmy Ryan was presented a half chance against his old team. The midfielder could only drag narrowly wide from distance however.
It was all square at the break, in a quiet (on the pitch) opening 45 minutes.
Blackpool started the second half well, with Kaikai making a weaving run through the Rochdale defence. Kaikai then cut back onto his left foot but his eventual shot was saved well low by Sanchez from a tight angle.
Rochdale responded well though, with Camps taking matters into his own hands firing wide left footed in the 54th minute.
Blackpool continued to threaten but lacked the creativity to break down Rochdale for long periods of the match.
In the 78th minute Blackpool were even closer to the breakthrough. Gnanduillet headed in to Nuttall who managed to redirect the ball into the path of Thompson. The midfielder saw his drilled effort go straight at the Rochdale keeper who managed to get in the way of the shot.
A final late push from Blackpool saw Grayson throw Hardie into proceedings, but despite showing great endeavour, it was a slice of luck that almost gifted Pool the winner.
A Husband cross span off a Rochdale man and over the keeper Sanchez, who had been superb, only to bounce off the inside of the post and spin across the line to be cleared.
Blackpool were impressive and could have easily won this game, with Rochdale failing to bother Alnwick hugely. It was a lack of quality in the final third that cost Blackpool and a lack of numbers being committed forward to support an often isolated Gnanduillet.
Rochdale were poor and a side Blackpool should have really beaten, but it was an excellent performance from the Seasiders and such a solid defensive display will boost confidence, especially with the recent return of Ben Heneghan.
Blackpool slip to second in the division and remain unbeaten which realistically is better than anyone could have imagined.