Blackpool recorded their first home victory of the season in unconvincing style against nine-man West Brom this evening.
A rain-soaked Bloomfield Road played host to a fully charged game that was not short of excitement or drama.
The Seasiders were lucky to come away victorious as they failed to command the game despite their two man advantage.
The Baggies left themselves with a mountain to climb when they had two players dismissed within the opening half hour.
Pablo Ibanez initially saw red after bringing DJ Campbell down in the box when the striker was clean through on goal.
Referee Michael Oliver then showed no hesitation in showing Gonzalo Jara a straight red after a dangerous late challenge on Luke Varney by the corner flag soon after.
The game started brightly, and Simon Cox nearly handed the Baggies the perfect start with a powerful low drive that drew Gilks into an outstretched save.
But drama ensued when Ibanez was shown a straight red for upending Campbell.
Charlie Adam buried the resulting penalty low and hard, with Scott Carson’s fingertips unable to prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.
The game swung even more in Blackpool's favour when Jara was given his marching orders with an hour left to play.
Gary Taylor Fletcher had a fine effort saved by Carson as the home side dominated possession in midfield.
Steven Reid and Graham Dorrans were introduced in place of Cox and Fortune as the Baggies looked to drastically alter their game plan.
Blackpool rained in shots from long range, but were failing to create any meaningful openings.
The away side rallied towards the end of the first half, and Dorrans headed straight at Gilks from close range as the Seasiders took a slender one goal lead into the break.
Blackpool begun the second half with attacking intent as they went in search of the all elusive second goal.
Jerome Thomas burst into the box at the other end though, with Craig Cathcart heroically coming to the rescue to block his low shot.
Varney then had a great chance to score for the hosts, but headed straight at Carson from point blank range.
But the loan-star redeemed himself to slide in Grandin’s inviting cross to double the lead after great work from David Vaughan.
In what should have been a comfortable half hour period for the home side to endure with a two goal cushion, it was far from it.
West Brom kept battling and were rewarded a lifeline when Yousouf Mulumbu brilliantly curled home to create a nervy finale.
What followed was a frenetic five minute spell where goals could have gone in at either end.
Dorrans very nearly equalised for the visitors from a header that flashed inches wide of Gilks' post.
Charlie Adam then curled wide as Blackpool broke forward.
Steven Reid had a glorious chance to level the game in stoppage time but fired over in the midst of a goal mouth scramble.
Grandin then missed a gilt edged chance as Blackpool reluctantly managed to see out the game.
West Brom are the most impressive outfit to visit Bloomfield Road this season, and one must wonder what the scoreline might have been had they had eleven men on the pitch.
Still, the fortuitous result lifts the Seasiders back into the top half of the Premier League table in ninth position.
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