Ian Holloway couldn't have asked for a better time for his team to notch the 100th goal of his tenure in the Blackpool hotseat.
Callum McManaman's second-half strike was just enough to earn the Seasiders victory in a closely matched encounter against a Reading side hanging firmly on their tails in the Championship play-off hunt.
The Wigan loanee's first goal in tangerine colours halted the Royals' three-game winning streak and ensured they won't be receiving any red-carpet treatment on their return to Berkshire tonight.
On a day where Blackpool were cursing the recent recall of Liverpool loan star Jonjo Shelvey, McManaman well and truly stepped up to the plate by delivering a man-of-the-match performance.
"I had a feeling he'd score today from what he's done in training. His feet are electric," explained Holloway.
It was a tale of two halves as the visitors could easily have been ahead at the interval, but were punished for their profligacy in a much improved second-half showing from the hosts.
"The longer the game went on, the better we looked and that goal was worth the entrance fee alone!" insisted Holloway.
Reading striker Simon Church's sins were unforgiven after his header was harshly chalked off for offside in the opening period, which was one of a host of chances for the visitors.
"The game should have been done and dusted by half time. Our goal was 2-3 yards onside," insisted Royals' boss Bryan McDermott.
Following a subdued opening, controversy ensued in the twelth minute when McManaman raced onto Lomana LuaLua's through-ball and was bundled over by last-man Shaun Cummings.
Referee Mark Brown waved play on, much to the annoyance of the tangerine faithful who felt there was a case to be answered.
That was about as good as it got for the Seasiders as Reading dominated proceedings.
Prolific forward Adam Le Fondre wasted a gilt-edged chance when he failed to hit the target from a point-blank header on the quarter hour mark, before Church had his controversial effort ruled out.
Jimmy Kebe, who was a constant menace on the Reading flank, charged through a static Blackpool defence a minute later only to be foiled by a fine saving challenge from Cathcart.
Kebe once again tried to provide, but nobody in blue and white could seize upon his dangerous ball across the box.
Things improved for Blackpool after the break and McManaman broke the deadlock after profiting from Matt Phillips' trickery to slot a composed finish beyond the reach Adam Federici.
The visitors briefly responded when Robson-Kanu wastefully shot over from close range.
Blackpool should have been two up when LuaLua charged forward, but his powerful effort sailed narrowly wide after Federici got the faintest of fingertips.
McManaman tried to add to his tally soon after but could only blaze wide from long-range.
Reading tried to conjure a reply in the closing stages of the game and came closest when substitute Mathieu Manset's downward header was easily collected by Gilks.
It was a priceless victory for the Seasiders, who move in touching distance of the play-off zone. Next weekend's trip to table toppers Southampton will prove to be their toughest test yet.
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